Portland Red Triangle

Tony Morris

Tony Quayle's side returned to action at Reforne after an enforced rain break fresh and raring to get their promotion campaign on track after their disappointing showing against Puddletown. Ignoring the groundsman's advice, Quayle won the toss and elected to bowl.

This looked a poor decision as the openers Peters and Moses added 65 before both were mystified by the mixed-bag leg spin of Adam Smart who first tempted Peters with a full toss that was well held by Pete Laming at deep mid long on, while Moses could only watch as Smart pitched one on a good length that darted away to take his off stump.

Tony Morris replaced Dave Clifford, who had been toiling up the slope, and soon removed young Way who had just got his eye in with a six off Smart. Clifford then showed his ten-pin bowling technique with a rolling run out to dismiss Hilton. Joel Maisey's lightning glovework accounted for the dangerous Grout as Smart picked up his third wicket of the afternoon.

Young Quinn then attempted a quick single, but hadn't banked on Pete Laming's throw straight into Maisey's gloves for an easy run out. Morris soon accounted for Richards and young Moysey was caught at square leg by Daron Avery. Callan Laws was brought on for Smart and soon tempted Dimbleby, who had been Poole's main source of runs during their collapse, with a ball wide of off stump which he sliced to Morris at point. Morris then bowled Watson as Poole ended on 135 all out after looking in a strong position at 109/3.

Quayle opened Triangle's innings with young Simon Proffitt and the pair forged a solid, if unspectacular partnership of 35, before Prof was given out lbw off Watson. This signaled the start of Triangle's collapse as Pete Laming was soon on his way, playing all round Watson's delivery, and then Avery completed a debut he'd rather forget by being bowled the very next ball. Pete Tombs was sent in to stabilise the innings and looked solid in defence before hitting a sweetly timed drive for four. Unfortunately he tried to cut a ball rising up at him and succeeded only in finding the fielder at short cover.

Smart and Quayle looked to have settled into a good rhythm, adding 10 before the captain finally fell on 35, edging behind off the youngster Moysey. Maisey, Smart and Strong then all fell cheaply, with Dan unlucky to be out to a fine diving catch. Clifford's resistance was broken by the veteran Phil Quinn, bringing together Laws and Morris who added a rapid 10 runs before Callan tried to hit Quinn over the top, but found more toe than middle of his bat and was the last man out with a batting point in sight.

PRT II 5, Poole Town IV 20