Dicko's 5-for Steals Show from Dog

Portland Red Triangle cemented their place at the top of the NSA Dorset Division 6 with their tenth win from ten against Moordown seconds at Reforne.

Winning the toss and electing to bat it was a quickfire innings by veteran Jon Dixon of 51 from just 18 balls, including four sixes and five fours, that set Triangle on their way. Dixon made light work of the visiting bowlers on a difficult batting track but was eventually undone by leg spinner Khurram after looking like he was well on the way to a big score. The run rate inevitably slowed as Dixon was replaced by Ben Doidge (29) who added 50 with opener Dave Males (25) before he was removed by Moordown’s all-rounder Brett Custard.

The islander’s middle order made hard work of batting as only Alex Charlton (21) and at the end of the innings, Scott Males (22) managed to cope on a green pitch with erratic bounce. A succession of Triangle batsmen were undone by the superb Custard (3-27) and also the Fisher brothers, Andy (3-42) and Alex (2-41) as Portland slumped to 211 all out after 44 overs.

In reply Moordown made a steady start but found scoring difficult against the economical opening pair of Dixon (1-31) and Bill Trevett (1-11), but it was first change bowler, skipper Graham Elenor (1-27), who made the initial breakthrough bowling Andy Fisher for 14. Khurram (14) joined opener Russell (26) for a useful partnership of 30 until Dixon found the edge of Khurram’s bat and Neven held on.

Russell following a couple of overs later without scoring when Mark Nott held on to a fine catch at square leg as Alex Charlton (3-21) claimed his first wicket of the afternoon. From there it was downhill for the visitors as wickets fell steadily, with Scott Males doing the damage with a fine 6 over spell taking 3-15, though Custard (45 no) continued to be the thorn in Triangle’s side hitting some lusty blows but with limited support from his teammates.

After a cameo from Richard Stewkesbury (1-22) with the ball, it was Trevett who was brought back into the attack to claim the final wicket as Dave Males held a looping top edge to wrap up the points for Elenor’s table topping side.