PORTLAND RED TRIANGLE 216 (20pts) beat FERNDOWN 142 (8pts) by 74 runs.

SKIPPER Simon Barrett was delighted with the "buzz of energy" that ran throughout his side in this Dorset Funeral Plan League Division Two victory at Reforne.

The Red Triangle captain watched his men put on a magnificent team performance and is now hoping they can build on that by capturing their first away win of the season on Saturday.

Barrett said: "It was a real team performance and we thoroughly deserved our win.

"The fielding was terrific with a buzz of energy that has not been evident in the previous few games. Chris Skinner again batted with skill and confidence, not allowing Ferndown's bowlers to settle, and all of the bowlers did a good job as we took wickets at regular intervals, so victory was never seriously in doubt.

"Our challenge now is to continue this good form into our next game when we aim to pick up our first away victory at Shaftesbury."

Batting first after winning the toss, the hosts got off to a great start with Skinner (49) and Barrett (32) producing an opening stand of 108 in 25 overs. Skinner was particularly severe, punishing any short deliveries and hitting seven boundaries in his knock.

Ferndown broke the partnership by dismissing both openers in the same over with Ballam taking the plaudits (3-56).

The next six batsmen all contributed but the highest score mustered was only 21 from Chris Pegrum. The home side was eventually dismissed in the 43rd over for 216, which was somewhat disappointing after such a positive start.

Consistent Forrest (3-36) and Raftery (3-31) were Ferndown's other wicket-takers.

In reply, the visitors found life tough from the start with Alex Charlton maintaining a consistent line and length, taking 2-28 in his initial eight-over spell.

The match then turned significantly in Portland's favour with the introduction of left-arm spinners Jon Dixon and Jan Davey, the latter taking 5-46.

Despite some late resistance from Channing, who struck several lusty blows on the leg-side in making 28, Triangle ran out comfortable winners dismissing their opponents for 142 in the 36th over.

reforne scoreboard

PORTLAND RED TRIANGLE

Barrett st Rose b Ballam 32

Skinner c Raftery b Ballam 49

Dixon c Channing b Ballam 11

Sawyer c Rose b Raftery 17

Nott run out 11

Price c Rose b Forrest 14

Pegrum b Forrest 21

Davey b Forrest 12

Charlton b Raftery 6

Neven not out 0

Morris b Raftery 0

Extras (18w, 1nb, 20b, 5lb) 44

Total (all-out, 42.4overs) 216

FoW: 1-108, 2-109, 3-128, 4-140, 5-161, 6-190, 7-194, 8-213, 9-216.

Bowling: Raftery 11.4-3-31-3, Forrest 11-0-36-3, Ballam 12-0-56-3, Channing 3-0-22-0, Fillingham 4-0-22-0, Williams 1-0-21-0.

FERNDOWN

Drew c Nott b Charlton 17

Raftery c Barrett b Dixon 15

Skeaters b Charlton 6

Chalton c Morris b Davey 19

Fillingham b Dixon 2

Forrest lbw Dixon 0

Rose c Pegrum b Davey 21

Harvey b Davey 4

Channing b Davey 28

Williams not out 6

Ballam st Neven b Davey 10

Extras (5w, 6b, 3lb) 14

Total (all-out, 35.2 overs) 142

FoW: 1-21, 2-31, 3-54, 4-65, 5-65, 6-87, 7-93, 8-107, 9-126.

Bowling: Price 6-0-20-0, Charlton 8-1-28-2, Dixon 8-1-27-3, Davey 9.2-0-46-5, Pegrum 4-0-11-0.