PORTLAND RT 261-4 (18pts) beat POOLE TOWN II 260-7 (7pts) by six wickets

PORTLAND Red Triangle moved into fifth spot in County Division One with a high-scoring six-wicket win over Poole Town Seconds at Reforne.

Altogether, 521 runs were scored for the loss of just 11 wickets as the batters enjoyed a day in paradise.

Poole, who are going well in third but know they cannot be promoted due to their first team being situated in the Premier League, won the toss and batted first.

Bob Edwards (1-55) took an early wicket for the islanders but Poole soon got going as Ben Wright (43) struck seven fours.

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Matthew Hobbs (12) fired a four and a six in a bizarrely two-paced innings of 31 balls before both men fell in quick succession to Jon Cameron (3-37) and Matt Barrett (3-38) respectively.

However, Luke Hall (73no) and Poole skipper Kev Wrigley (51no) scored half-centuries, the latter’s featuring five sixes and coming off 34 balls, adding to a generous 46 extras.

Although Cameron and Barrett added two more wickets each, Poole reached 260-7 to give Portland a challenging target.

Matt Randell’s men rose to it, though, putting on 58 for the first wicket until Callan Laws (27) and Joe Adkins (1) were sent packing by Sam Leaton (3-68) and Kev Wrigley (1-36), both lbw.

Randell and Barrett then joined forces to pile on 164 runs for the third wicket in a stand that ruined Poole’s chances of victory.

Barrett struck an unbeaten 81 from 91 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, while Randell amassed 88 from 73 with nine fours and two sixes before he was caught off Leaton.

Leaton pinned Izaak Russell (4) lbw but Ryan Price (22no off 17) helped finish the job along with Barrett inside 38 overs.

Portland host leaders Witchampton this afternoon (1.30pm).