PORTLAND RT 405-6 (19pts) beat SHILLINGSTONE 238-8 (8pts) by 167 runs

RECORDS tumbled as Portland Red Triangle blitzed 10-man Shillingstone by 167 runs in their County Division One contest at Reforne.

Triangle captain Matt Randell plundered a magnificent 183 from 132 balls, adding to a destructive 96 from 64 balls by fellow opener Chris Leake as the duo set a club record first-wicket stand of 196.

Portland also broke their highest-ever club innings score of 399 in reaching 405-6 against the hapless Shillingstone.

Triangle’s remarkable day began when Shillingstone used the uncontested toss rule to bowl first, although they found Leake and Randell in irresistible form.

Leake was the more aggressive of the two early on, striking 14 fours and four maximums with Randell playing more of an anchor role.

When Leake was caught off Eddie Moore (1-48), Randell quickly went on to score his century after which Tom House (2-30), the pick of the away bowlers, dismissed Callan Laws (9) and Ryan Price (7) cheaply.

With Portland already at 266-3, Randell kicked on again to reach his 150 before perishing just short of a magical double-hundred having walloped 24 fours and four sixes.

Randell had smashed 64 runs in an 89-run stand with Chris Theakstone (21), while Ollie Whisker (32no off 19 balls) also chipped in, adding to a generous 43 extras.

Jerry Shaw (1-97) came in for particular punishment off his nine overs.

Shillingstone, who are not yet safe from relegation, battled to maximum batting points in reply with a mixed batting line-up.

Regular opener Robin Cunningham (69no) came in at number eight while top order batsman Tom House (41 off 24 balls) went in at nine after seamer Jon Cameron (4-51) secured season’s best figures.

The Villagers denied Portland all 20 points, claiming a crucial eight of their own as they continue to hover six points above the drop zone with two games left, while fifth-placed Portland closed the gap to Weymouth in fourth to two points.

Speaking to Echosport, Randell insisted he had played “second fiddle” to Leake before piling on the runs.

He said: “Chris played an incredible knock to start us off and I reckon I was playing second fiddle for a lot of that opening partnership, just knocking it around, getting him on strike.

“He’s a good player, especially when he’s playing his attacking shots. From drinks it was about pushing as hard as we could to see if we could get near (399). It was a pretty big achievement to get over 400.”

On his century, he added: “That’s my highest score and in the back of my mind I had the club record 208.

“ I wanted to get us up above 400.

“ I just tried to make sure I was sensible enough for the first hundred and looked to cash in from there.”

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