PORTLAND RT 148-8 lost to LASHINGS ALLSTARS 225-2 by 77 runs

PORTLAND Red Triangle enjoyed a great day out as Lashings Allstars turned on the style to win by 77 runs in their exhibition Twenty20 match at Reforne.

Lashings won the toss and batted first, Wasim Jaffer displaying a fine array of strokeplay in making 40, with Lashings coasting to 45-0 off eight overs.

But from there they bombarded the boundary with ease, Afzaal’s half-century notched in the middle of a Matt Randell over that cost 32 runs.

Afzaal’s knock included seven fours and six maximums, but the powerful Edwards stole the show with fourteen boundaries and four sixes to register his ton as Lashings reached 225-2 from 20 overs.

There were memorable moments for Portland’s Matt Barrett (1-32), who bowled West Indies legend Gordon Greenidge and Tom Dalkins (1-28), who ousted Jaffer.

Portland contended well with the pace of Fidel Edwards, but found the accuracy of ex-England bowler Martin Bicknell (2-11) tough to get away, the tall paceman removing opener Elliot Sawyer (6) and skipper Randell (1).

But Proffitt looked very much at home among esteemed company, depositing Lashings captain and former England spinner Chris Schofield into the quarry three times in his enterprising half-century.

There were also impressive contributions from 16-year-old Joe Adkins (13), Ryan Price (20) and Simon Barrett (15) as Portland fought hard to make 148-8.

After the match, Triangle captain Randell told Echosport that the event was “incredible”.

He said: “It was incredible. It took me six overs in the field to realise what we were doing. It was a surreal experience.

“The first ball Fidel Edwards bowled zipped past Elliot (Sawyer) and we were like ‘oh crikey’. To think that he’s still playing first-class cricket and we’ve just faced him, it’s good!”

Lashings captain Schofield said it had been a “fantastic day” of cricket.

He said: “It was a fantastic day, the event itself was magnificent. To have 200 people in the marquee to support the club and then for another 200-300 people around the ground to come and watch it was fantastic to see.

“Portland put the ball on the spot and to be fair to our guys we batted well as well.”

For the first innings Henry Blofeld delivered his inimitable commentary and he felt the match had delivered “a thrilling exhibition of strokeplay”.

He said: “I think these games are tremendous. We’ve seen a thrilling exhibition of strokeplay which I don’t think anyone here would have seen before. It brings these wonderful players to a part of the world that they wouldn’t normally come to.

“The hospitality has been tremendous and it’s been a great privilege for us to come here.”

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