STALBRIDGE 237 (5 pts) lost to PORTLAND RT 238-1 (20pts) by nine wickets

PORTLAND Red Triangle kept pace with leaders Compton House in County Division Two with a resounding nine-wicket win over Stalbridge Seconds at The Park.

Batting first, half-centuries from Paul Clarkson (78) and Max Nettley (66) ensured Stalbridge posted a competitive total of 237 all out.

But in-form Triangle had other ideas as Simon Proffitt blasted an unbeaten 125, with good support from Ray Emery (60) to help his side cruise to a sixth win in seven games.

Portland were asked to bowl first on a baking North Dorset day as Stalbridge aimed to capitalise on friendly batting conditions.

Stalbridge recovered well from losing Sam Hayward for a duck as Clarkson and Tom Hatcher (47) put on 103 for the second wicket.

Nettley then joined in on the runscoring, steering clear of the wily Simon Barrett (4-25), to enable Stalbridge to set Portland a target of 238 from their 45 overs.

Emery and captain Matt Randell (39) put on 62 for the first wicket in the visitors’ reply, but when Randell was run out the introduction of Proffitt proved the difference between the two sides.

The powerful all-rounder scored 125 of a 175-run unbroken second-wicket stand with Emery as he put the Stalbridge bowlers to the sword, with none of them taking a wicket.

Only the experienced Mark Chant (0-16) claimed respectable figures, with opener Nettley particularly expensive after conceding 48 from just five overs.

Proffitt (2-54) had been unusally profligate with the ball himself, but amply made up for that with yet another century for the Islanders as they sailed home with five overs to spare.

The win sees Portland maintain their push for top spot as they continue to trail Compton House by two points.

House took a big 156-run win against Witchampton, bowling the visitors out for 105 after reaching 261-7.

Portland play Blandford at Reforne on Saturday, while Compton House travel to Shillingstone Seconds.

n Portland Red Triangle Seconds beat Broadstone Thirds by eight wickets in County Division Five.

A third-wicket stand of 91 between Ryan Price (75no) and Ollie Whisker (26no) helped Triangle to a comfortable win.