PORTLAND RED TRIANGLE 207-6 (20pts) beat WEYMOUTH SECONDS 171 (6pts) by 36 runs

TRIANGLE ran out winners in a keenly-contested local derby to cement third place in Division Two.

Put in after losing the toss, the home side were soon in trouble when they lost their first four batsmen for just 15 runs thanks to some excellent swing bowling from Harry Tucker.

At this point, experienced duo Dave Adkins (26) and Gareth Price, who top scored with 57, set about rebuilding the innings, with the latter punishing some short deliveries from Harry Mitchell.

When Price was bowled by wily off spinner Laurie Whyte, Port-land had only reached 107-6 in the 29th over.

Triangle captain Scott Males then joined former skipper Simon Barrett at the crease with the pair looking to ensure no further quick wickets were lost.

They added 37 runs during the next 11 overs before an all out attack in the last six added a further 63, taking their partnership to exactly 100 and the total to a much healthier 207.

Barrett finished unbeaten on 31 and Males was 40 not out when the innings closed.

When Weymouth began their reply it was clear that openers Marco Nott and Tom Steadman were determined not to be tied down.

They put on 63 in the first 12 overs before Portland debutant Tom Dalkins struck with his first ball, dismissing the dangerous Steadman thanks to a marvellous running catch by Matt Randell.

Tucker joined Nott and the pair scored steadily until Males’ flighted spinner accounted for Nott, then Dawkins bowled skipper Peter Gordon to leave the visitors on 92-3 with 24 overs to go.

Matt Barrett joined the attack and took three wickets in successive overs including the steady Tucker, and with Kit Rudolph bowling Matt Batchelor, Wey-mouth slipped to 148-7 after 35 overs.

It was then left to Simon Proffitt and Randell to clean up the tail and seal a victory for Portland that had seemed unlikely after Tucker had demolished the hosts’ top order.

“Although we started badly by losing those four early wickets, Gareth played a really valuable knock to ensure our run-rate was not too slow,” said Males.

“As a side, we pride ourselves on the depth of our batting line-up and this enabled us to post what proved to be a match-winning total.

“When we fielded, it was really encouraging to see two 16-year-olds (Tom Dawkins and Matt Barrett) really running in hard and putting the opposition batsmen under pressure.

“Despite Weymouth’s good start, the two youngsters kept taking wickets, so I always felt we were in control. A great result and we look forward to our next game away at Bournemouth.”