ST GEORGE’S 178-5 (20pts) beat PORTLAND RT 177 (7pts) by 5 wickets

ST GEORGE’S returned to Sunday League action after the previous week’s match was cancelled following Fovant’s withdrawal, and they recorded a comfortable five-wicket victory over rivals Portland at the Rec.

The visitors batted first and were indebted to opener Callan Laws’ excellent innings of 74 which enabled them to post a competitive total.

After Santosh Nair picked up a couple of early wickets with the new ball, Laws took the attack to the change bowlers, striking a number of boundaries in reaching his 50.

A century was there for the taking for Laws but over-ambition got the better of him and he was smartly stumped by Adam Barrett after advancing down the track to Tim Goodhew’s leg spin.

For the second game in succession, Jamie Barrett picked up a clutch of wickets in the closing overs.

Bowling full and straight, Barrett won three leg before decisions as the islanders were bowled out with more than four overs unused.

The hosts’ reply began well enough before three quick wickets for Rob Townley saw them reduced to 67-4.

Nair (46) then made good use of his promotion up the batting order to play some stylish strokes all round the wicket.

And together with Goodhew (51) they doubled the score before Nair ran himself out attempting a non-existent single.

Jamie Barret then joined Goodhew at the crease and for the second time this season the duo were there as the winning runs were struck.

Goodhew recorded back-to-back unbeaten half-centuries against the Portlanders.