WIMBORNE II 248-5 (7pts) lost to PORTLAND RT 249-4 (17pts) by six wickets

PORTLAND Red Triangle closed to within three points of the top half in County Division One with their fifth victory of the season.

Their latest victims were Wimborne Seconds, who fell to a six-wicket defeat as sixth-placed Portland used the notoriously good batting conditions at the Leaze to chase down 249.

Earlier, Wimborne lost just five wickets on a docile track as James Miller (41) and Harry Prince (33) got the hosts off to a superb start.

Although Rich Samuel (3-64) removed both men, Tom Butcher came in and blasted 108 from 83 balls, including an impressive 19 boundaries.

READ MORE: Portland tee off before rain comes at Swanage

He helped Wimborne set a target of around 5.5 runs per over, forcing Triangle’s hand.

Portland openers Callan Laws (68) and Matt Barrett (84) got Triangle off to an imposing start, constructing a monster stand for the first wicket.

The duo shared 158 by the time Barrett was caught off Alfie Ingram (1-36), with Laws quickly following thanks to leg-spinner Prince (1-52).

Portland lost two more quick wickets as Dave Adkins (10) was run out before Ryan Roberts (1-27) bowled Jack Marsh (0).

However, skipper Matt Randell scored almost exclusively for the visitors in a brutal unbeaten 70 from 40 balls, smashing seven boundaries and three sixes to win the game in style.

Speaking to Echosport, Randell said: “We were a little bit light but it made the victory even better considering we were missing a fair few players.

“It was a perfect start from Lawsy and Baz. We spoke in the morning how they and myself would need to get some runs, they set the game up perfectly.

“It just allowed me to go in, kick on and make sure we got home.”

Portland’s second string beat Winton Seconds by seven runs in Division Five.