Portland

Chris Skinner

Portland skipper Simon Barrett praised the knock of Chris Skinner after this superb win over Witchampton at Reforne in Dorset Funeral Plan Division Two. The talented opener hit nine fours in his score of 57, which in the end proved the difference between the two sides.

The islanders found life difficult on a slow pitch against some accurate bowling but their opponents struggled even more in reply, scoring just 78. Barrett said: "Although I felt we should have scored nearer 200 than 156, without Chris Skinner's excellent knock we would have been in trouble. The performance in the field was easily the best so far this season with the fielders supporting the bowlers superbly. All four bowlers were excellent giving virtually nothing away and we thoroughly deserved the win."

Skinner was the only batsman on the day that looked comfortable with the conditions. Jason Styles (9) Elliot Sawyer (11), and Jon Dixon (0) all went cheaply but there were some important contributions in the middle order from Gary Randell (21), Barrett (13) and Marco Nott (11) Portland's last seven wickets fell for just 46 runs and top bowlers for the Witches were Kelly (4-31), M Styles (2-32) and Hibberd (3-15).

At the halfway stage the home side looked to be about 30 runs short of a winning total but in the end 156 proved more than adequate. Spinner Dixon (4-25) made two early breakthroughs, removing both openers in his first four overs. And with Sam Polley (0-22) bowling accurately, albeit without much luck, at the other end it took Witchampton 14 overs to get their rate above two runs per over. During Dixon's unbroken 12-over spell he dismissed the first four batsmen for just 25 runs.

Jan Davey (2-24) and Randell (4-3) then came into the attack each taking fantastic catches off their own bowling with Davey diving full length to his left and Randell picking up a hard-hit drive just inches off the ground. Witchampton's last six wickets fell for only 15 runs to give Portland a well-earned triumph.

PRT 19, Witchampton 5