PORTLAND RED TRIANGLE 104 (5pts) lost to WITCHAMPTON 105-8 (17pts) by two wickets.

PORTLAND Red Triangle’s batting collapse saw them fall just short as they lost by two wickets to Witchampton on Saturday.

They made just 104 in the first innings but Matt Barrett threatened to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a fine bowling display however Witchampton limped over the line.

Portland won the toss and elected to bat first.

The pitch was wet and green but Portland still backed themselves to score runs.

They got off to a bad start, losing the early wicket of Elliot Sawyer without scoring.

Dave Adkins came in at three and he and Simon Barrett struggled to score in the opening exchanges.

The pressure built and they both fell without making it into double figures.

Cameron Midgeley tried to be positive but still fell short of double figures.

The fall of Midgeley found captain Matt Randell (25) and vice captain Callan Laws (6) together at the crease.

Both looked to be positive but Laws fell cheaply playing another big shot on a pitch that required patience.

Chris Theakstone tried to hold the innings together for Portland but could only get to 17 before falling.

Portland finished the innings on 104 – 20 short of what they wanted.

Portland went out confident that although they had only made 104 they could still win the game, and it was never out of sight until the last run was scored.

Matt Barrett was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up figures of 6-20 from his nine overs to decimate the Witchampton top order.

Tom Dalkins and Randell also picked up a wicket each as they put the squeeze on the hosts but they fell just short as the home side inched home with two wickets to spare.

After the game Randell said: “We went to Witchampton with every intention of winning.

“Scoring 104 just isn’t good enough, the pitch wasn’t great but I still chose to bat and we can’t blame the pitch.

“We bowled and fielded superbly. Matt Barrett was incredible. He outpaced there batsman on a slow track so I can’t wait to see what he’s like on a normal track.

With promotion the aim before the season, Randell is still hopeful of a successful campaign.

“We still have the aim of promotion and we won’t let Saturday’s game set us back in any

way.”