PORTLAND RT 163 (18pts) beat POOLE TOWN II 93 (5pts) by 70 runs

PORTLAND Red Triangle returned to winning ways with a 70-run success over Poole Town Seconds at Reforne.

Triangle had lost their past two County Division One games but emerged victorious in this low-scoring clash.

There was drama before the match as a water leak dampened one half of the playing wicket.

However, both teams were happy to play and Portland decided to bat first after winning the toss.

READ MORE: Portland Red Triangle lose by six wickets to Chalke Valley

Despite their batters failing to fire, they were gifted a staggering 61 extras.

That tally papered over the cracks as James Kirk (4-27) caused havoc in the top and middle order.

Jenson Stewart (2-37) then removed Matt Barrett (18) and Callan Laws (1) cheaply as Portland stood on 37-4.

Matt Randell hit a quick 28, including five boundaries, but he became one of two quick scalps for Henri Abel (2-16) as Izaak Russell (6) also succumbed.

Dave Adkins scored a patient unbeaten 27 from 75 balls to knit the innings together and, despite Poole running through the tailenders, last man Jon Cameron scored a useful 12 as Portland closed on 163 all out.

Poole were in all sorts of trouble in their reply as Portland reduced them to 1-3 after two overs, Randell (1-21) and Simon Proffitt (2-10) doing the damage.

Jordan Down (37) was the only Poole batter to trouble the scorers, with Stewart (17) hitting three fours in his knock.

However, Barrett (3-38) and Jack Marsh (2-0) helped steam through the remainder of the innings, despite 25 extras, skittling Poole for 93 and sending Triangle up into sixth.

Speaking to Echosport, skipper Randell said: “We didn’t bat very well but thankfully we were gifted 61 extras.

“That allowed us to get a decent score. The pitch was funny, we had a water leak the day before so half the pitch was wet. That made it interesting to bat on.

“We set our sights on 130, anything on from there was helping us to put some pressure on them.

“Then with the ball it was the perfect start. I got a wicket in my first over and then Si got two in his.

“We had them 1-3 and from there it was about taking wickets at regular intervals.”

He added: “I can imagine they’ve put out some stronger teams than what they travelled to us with, I hope they had to have won the rest of their games. They didn’t seem overly strong.”

Elsewhere, Portland Red Triangle Seconds lost by 132 runs to Poole’s fourth string in Division Five.