MARNHULL 117 (16pts) beat PORTLAND RT 113 (9pts) by 4 runs

MATT Randell believes it is time for his more experienced Portland players to stand up and be counted after the islanders lost by just four runs to Marnhull.

The hosts were relatively confident of chasing down the visitors’ total of 117 at Reforne, but eight of the Triangle batsmen fell for single-figure scores and Matt Gomm was left stranded on 21 not out when the final wicket fell.

Only three players from each side scored more than 10 with the bat – Lee Elsworth (46), Ashley Young (35) and Edwin Ralph (14) doing so for Marnhull.

All of the Portland bowlers claimed dismissals, with Chris Leake (2-20) and Tom Dalkins (2-27) arguably the best of the bunch.

Marnhull actually lost their last four wickets without scoring, giving Portland a great chance of recording a fourth win of the season in County Division Two.

In reply, only opener Leake (30), Chris Theakstone (16) and Gomm showed any sort of resilience as Chris Mather (4-10) did most of the damage for the away side.

“We bowled really well again and our fielding was a massive improvement,” said Portland skipper Randell. “To bowl a team out so cheaply again is a massive credit to our bowling attack.

“I can’t fault anyone’s bowling performance; wickets fell at the right times and we were on top for pretty much the whole game.

“We went into the chase positive that we could win and rightly so chasing such a low total. Their bowlers didn’t bowl particularly well — we just played bad shots."

“It was disappointing, especially after last week where we chased Bournemouth’s runs down so easily.”

He added: “We are a good side but there are a lot of inexperienced players that are just starting off playing first team cricket and I think this has shown.

“We’ve got ourselves into great positions every week and then we throw it away, and I think some of the inexperience has led to this.

“But then it’s for our more experienced players to start standing up and making a difference.

“We will again reassess and see what needs to be changed for this Saturday and look to move forward.”

A trip to Cerne Valley awaits Portland this weekend, while Portland Seconds entertain Puddletown in Division Five.

Last Saturday, the islanders’ second XI lost to Bradford Abbas by seven wickets.