PORTLAND RED TRIANGLE 289-8 (20pts) bt MARNHULL 86 ao (4pts) by 203 runs

HALF centuries from Simon Proffitt and Chris Theakstone capped an impressive batting performance from Portland Red Triangle, which sent them on their way to a 203-run victory over Marnhull in County Division One.

Portland were equally as impressive with the ball, having whittled away the Marnhull top order, leaving them 33-6 before the tail showed some resistance.

After an uncontested toss, Portland batted first and soon found their consistency.

There were 37 runs on the board before Ray Emery (11) was bowled by Will Primrose (1-44).

Wickets were hard to come by for the visitors, and the home side accrued a further 44 runs before fellow opener Chris Leake (42) was caught by Malcolm West from an Edwin Ralph (2-48) delivery.

Portland captain Matt Randell was then dismissed by Paul Woodrow (1-32), with the home side having pushed up to 122 runs.

Callan Laws (38) was caught by Tim Horn off Dan Crockett (1-40) to leave Portland 159-4, but this only had the effect of bringing Proffitt (67) to the crease alongside Theakstone (54).

Their 102-run partnership put Portland into a very strong position by the time Proffitt was trapped lbw by Zack Caunt (3-30).

The rest of the order pushed Portland up to 289 before the end of the innings, yet this was to prove more than enough.

In complete contrast, Marnhull had a torrid time with the bat, losing opener Caunt (0) and third in the order Woodrow (0) for ducks with just three runs on the board.

Proffitt was in ruthless form, his deliveries accounting for the first four batsmen with the score at a meagre 25-4.

Primrose (11) was the next to go, just six runs later, bowled by Sam Mihell (2-28), before Proffitt took his fifth and final wicket of the match, dismissing Cameron Cudlipp (0) with the score now at 33-6.

Mihell and Joe Adkins (3-21) accounted for the rest of the wickets, but Marnhull were dismissed for 86 as Portland completed a fine victory.

Portland travel to Shillingstone on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Portland Seconds did not have a game at the weekend.

Next up for them is a home clash with Shaftesbury Seconds on Saturday in County Division Five.

Portland Seconds currently sit fifth in the table, with four wins and one loss having accrued 72 points so far, and are 15 points behind league leaders Poole Thirds, having played one game fewer in a congested top of the table.