PORTLAND RT 241-4 (20pts) beat WITCHAMPTON 204 (7pts) by 37 runs

PORTLAND Red Triangle threw a spanner in the works of the County Division One title race, beating ex-leaders Witchampton by 37 runs at Reforne.

In what was a near vintage Portland performance of recent seasons, Witchampton had no answer to the islanders when chasing 242 to win.

Blandford have now usurped the Witches, leading by 12 points with three games to go and only one promotion place available to the Premier League.

Outstanding yet again for Portland was star all-rounder Simon Proffitt, who stroked a superb 119 not out to claim his second century of the season.

READ MORE: Portland Red Triangle make light work of Poole Town

Although his knock came off 139 balls, Proffitt laid the foundation for a good total by hitting 14 fours and a six, along with 60 from Joe Adkins.

Portland were further boosted by 31 extras and an excellent unbeaten 20 from youngster Izaak Russell to post 241-4 from 45 overs.

Witchampton’s chase regrouped after Bob Edwards (3-33) bowled Alex Bennett (16), Sam Plater and Harrison Bowles getting themselves in.

The duo looked set to bring the Witches back into contention, steering the visitors to 125-1.

Plater (58) reached his fifty but perished to home skipper Matt Randell (2-28) and Portland ran out Gary Smart (0) to leave Witchampton on 130-3.

And spinner Randell removed Bowles (41) before Proffitt and Edwards chipped away at the Witches’ batting order, ensuring victory was too far out of reach.

Speaking to Echosport, Randell said: “It’s two weeks in a row we’ve knocked off top spot, so that was nice.

“We felt like we were in control for most of the game.

“Si and Joe put on a pretty big partnership and from there it was just trying to accelerate that run rate and get as many as possible.

“Then with the ball in hand, once we got Plater and Harrison Bowles we were able to control the run rate and pushed it up to a point where they struggled.

“They knew they had to go after it and we just picked up wickets. Getting those key wickets was crucial.”

On Proffitt, Randell joked: “It was a bit boring, his innings!

“He did bat well and for a long period of time, which sometimes we need. At Portland if you get in, the outfield’s quick and you’ve got short boundaries, it means you can cash in later on.”

Portland visit Marnhull today (1.30pm).