BEAMINSTER 148 (6pts) lost to PORTLAND RT 297-9 (20pts) by 149 runs

PORTLAND Red Triangle crushed Beaminster by 149 runs with a commanding display in County Division One.

Matt Randell’s men executed their blueprint of a blistering batting display, followed by a controlled bowling performance, to the letter.

The first step in Portland’s plan was to win the toss and bat, with it quickly becoming apparent batting conditions were favourable on a warm day.

Callan Laws (19) and Matt Barrett got Triangle off to a sizzling start, before Ben Fry (3-54) pegged Portland back with the wicket of Laws.

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However, Barrett was in relentless mood, crashing 74 from 53 balls including 11 fours and three sixes until he was bowled by James Edmunds (1-67).

Ross Baker removed Dave Adkins (13) and Joe Adkins (9) to leave Portland on 150-4 but Triangle’s strength in depth proved invaluable.

Randell and Simon Proffitt joined forces to continue the brisk scoring, the former hitting eight boundaries before Baker (3-40) had him caught.

Beaminster’s afternoon of toil in the sun was not done there, though.

Proffitt, making his first appearance of the season, crunched 91 from 70 balls to anchor Portland’s innings.

Even though he fell to Fry on the third-last ball, Portland posted an imposing 297-9 from their 45 overs.

Beaminster found the going tough with the bat as Proffitt’s pace accounted for home skipper Chris Park (1), while Joel Davey (1-10) snuck one through Ben Golledge’s defences.

Adam Moss (38) batted nicely with six fours and a maximum but his wicket provided a first senior scalp for Leon Adkins, who proved Portland’s star with the leather.

Adkins (4-48) ran through the middle order and off-spinner Jack Marsh (3-16) skittled the tail, leaving Rich Runyard stranded on 20 not out as Beaminster were dismissed for 148.

Speaking post-match, winning captain Randell said: “That’s how we want to play, take the game on and get that big score.

“When there were moments we felt we could get wickets, we could take them. Leon bowled four really good balls, it was his first first-team wicket and nice for him to get a few more.”

Asked for his thoughts on Triangle’s display with the willow, Randell said: “Just how we started, Matt is an aggressive player.

“Some weeks it comes off and some it doesn’t. He put everything together this week. He played the sensible shots when he needed to and when the ball was loose he looked to take it on.

“The application was a lot better as opposed to going out and playing a shot every ball.”

Meanwhile, Park did not criticise his players after a disrupted pre-season.

He said: “It was two sides who were very different. You could tell one side had played a few games and one hadn’t.

“I don’t think we performed badly, we bowled all right at times but we bowled too many bad balls and they had a strong side out.

“All in all, I’m not too disappointed because of how we conducted ourselves.

“Playing such a strong side who play aggressive cricket, I’m comfortable with that. There were a lot of positives to take out of the game.”

He added: “Honestly, I was glad to lose the toss, not knowing how the wicket would play.

“It became apparent that it was a fair track and not much in it for the bowlers. The style they play, once they get on top they’re hard to stop.

“Having said that, at 150-4 I thought we were in the game. When Randell and Proffitt got together, that partnership was the killer.

“But I was happy with the way we stuck at it. You don’t want to be chasing 300 in any game but given we’ve not played any cricket, I’m quite happy with how we’ve gone about things.”

Beaminster next visit Compton House, while Portland host Marnhull (both Saturday 1pm).