PRT

Sherborne: Waite, T

TRIANGLE came within a whisker of shocking Division One leaders Sherborne.

Having been skittled out for just 144, bottom-of-the-table Portland looked odds on to suffer yet another disappointing defeat at Reforne. But superb bowling by the hosts' attack including Simon Browne (3-30) and Sam Polley (1-39) left Sherborne languishing at 82-7 and hopes were high of a rare islanders' victory.

But Triangle skipper Barrett was left frustrated once again as his side failed to finish off the visitors who reached the target without any further loss. "It was a case of 'so near yet so far' for us," said the captain. "Facing a top of the table side in Sherborne, we had nothing really to lose but to get so close to achieving a shock victory and then going down to defeat is extremely frustrating."

After being put into bat, Portland made steady progress and at 83-2 looked on course for a score of around 200. But some rash strokes saw the hosts dismissed in the 42nd over for just 144.

A fairly comfortable victory for the visitors seemed likely but Browne and Polley both did their best to hand Portland a lifeline and the opening bowlers had soon reduced Sherborne to 41-4. Spinners Jon Dixon and Chris Skinner then chipped in with three wickets and with the visitors reeling at 82-7, a home win looked a possibility. But despite one or two close calls, Sherborne overhauled their target with no further loss prompting relieved celebrations.

Barrett added: "Initially we were very disappointed to score only 144 as it was the second successive week we failed to bat our 45 overs. "But we bowled well early on and I can't remember seeing Sam Polley bowl any better. His figures of 1-39 did not reflect just how good he was.

"He was ably assisted by Simon Browne who is in terrific form at the moment with the bat and ball and with seven wickets down and over 60 runs required, I felt we were well on top. "But we're lacking a good quality third bowler at the moment and in the end Sherborne showed why they are top by digging in and reaching the target."

Sherborne 19, PRT 6