Compton House Take Top Spot from Faltering Triangle

Compton House opener Mike Harper reinforced his reputation as one of the best batsmen in NSA Division One as he stroked an impressive unbeaten century against Portland Red Triangle on Saturday.

Harper cracked 13 fours and three sixes in a 120 minute stay at the crease as he helped his side cruise to an emphatic eight wicket win against the islanders. Harper shared an opening stand of 141 with Richard Millard (60) as the home side strengthened their position at the top of the league by passing the Triangle total of 204-6 with ten overs to spare. After Millard's dismissal Nick Price (32) took up the reins as he and Harper saw their side safely home in the 35th over.

Earlier, Triangle were quickly in trouble after they had been put into bat on a pitch softened by the previous day's heavy rain. Hayden White went in the first over with Dave Blackman and Ben Doidge soon following as Triangle slumped to 24-3 in the 10th over. Bill Gates (41) and Gary Randell (45) led a recovery with a fourth wicket partnership of 83, before both were dismissed in quick succession and it was left to Jason Styles and Chris Hardisty to give the total some respectability.

Styles cracked an unbeaten half century as the pair crashed 54 runs in the closing five overs to give the visitors what appeared to be a competitive score, but they had reckoned without the class of Harper.