PORTLAND RED TRIANGLE 204-9 (20pts) beat CERNE VALLEY 179 (9pts) by 25 runs

PORTLAND achieved a memorable victory on Saturday, inflicting just the second defeat this season on Dorset League Division Three leaders Cerne Valley.

Put into bat on a damp wicket, the islanders began carefully with openers Christian Brown and Olly Whisker adding 38 in 12 overs.

Simon Proffitt added a fluent 31 before he was unfortunately run out and then Chris Leake took control of the innings, his 61 being the major contribution.

With a generous 42 extras conceded, the final total of 204-9 looked extremely competitive despite the sterling efforts of opening bowler J Taylor (5-30).

After the early loss of Downey, opener Simon Green (56) played aggressively and the total moved smoothly to 81-1 after 22 overs.

When skipper Simon Barrett (3-31), pictured, removed Green and captain Neil Kellaway, the game swung in Portland’s favour.

Despite some positive strokeplay from Dave Baney and J Bar-rett, the scoring rate inc-reased so that 80 runs were needed off the last 10 overs.

Scott Males (4-57) then returned to the attack to claim three late wickets, leaving Proffitt to bowl last man M Collinge and secure victory by 25 runs.

Barrett said: “To win was a great effort, especially given the conditions and strength of the opposition.

“I was happy with a total of over 200, which was really worth 20 or 30 more given the dampness of the outfield.

“Chris Leake will be the first to admit that his batting was not at his most fluent but his 61 was so valuable.

“As the game went on, the outfield dried so that attacking strokes were better rewarded.

“However, with all of our bowlers maintaining their accuracy, together with keen fielding we were able to restrict the scoring and I felt we fully deserved our victory.”