Classic Quote: 

Weekend Teams:

Well, the Saturday 1st XI anyway...

Saturday 1st XI vs Suttoners 2nd XI (Home): M Hewson (cpt), S Barrett, S Rathnayake, G Neven (wkt), J Dixon, D Strong, L West, J Davey, A Riley, O Whisker, A Smart.

Preview from the Dorset Echo...

PORTLAND will be looking to bounce back from last week's disappointing seven-wicket defeat at Cranborne when they host Suttoners at Reforne in Dorset Funeral Plan Division Three tomorrow (2pm).

The islanders were skittled for 65 all-out at Penny's Lane, losing their first six batsmen for just 15 runs, but this week they will be a lot stronger with skipper Martin Hewson back available along with all-rounder Jan Davey. 

Portland secretary Grant Neven said: "We had four or five missing last week and we lost the toss on an awful wicket. We really struggled with the bat and that will have to improve but there were also some encouraging performances from the youngsters so we will go into tomorrow's game in good spirits despite what was a disappointing defeat."

Hewson's main aim, since being appointed in the summer, is to make his side more professional, and he is looking forward to putting his own stamp on things tomorrow.

He said: "An opening game defeat is not the best start to the season but reports point to the pluses and the lessons to be taken on board from the result. We must not let our heads drop and every player must give 100 per cent. From what I have heard that is exactly what everyone did last week and it is important we continue that."

Evening League

PRT continued their losing start to the season with defeat in the Portland derby. Skipper Dave Price won the toss and inserted Portland United at the YOI, and this gamble looked to have paid off as the football club were wobbling at 30-6 from the first 10 overs with Price (4-14) and Morris (2-11) doing the damage. United's captain Pat George (34) led the fightback with some big hitting off the change bowlers as they finished on 75-9 from 16 overs. Triangle started well scoring 20 from the first 5 overs, before four wickets fell for only 5 runs. A 27-run partnership between Smart and Morris gave hope, but once they were gone Triangle finished 17 runs adrift on 58-8 (all out) in the 15th over. View the scorecard here

Weekend Roundup

Not a good start to the first round of league games for Triangle as both Saturday sides recorded losses to Cranborne. The 1st XI with skipper Martin Hewson in China were led by Jon Dixon, who oversaw a 7 wicket loss. Invited to bat first, Triangle made hard work of a difficult batting track and the steady loss of wickets coupled with few runs coming off the bat led to the side being bowled out for just 65. In reply quick wickets were needed, but an early chance was dropped at slip by of all people, Dave Males. When the breakthrough finally came, Cranborne were almost home and dry with 39 on the board. Triangle were able to grab one point before their hosts claimed the win for the loss of three wickets. View the scorecard here

At Reforne the 2nd XI were boosted by the addition of Callan Laws, who should have travelled with the 1st XI, but overslept and missed his lift, with Olly Whisker taking his place. Cranborne batted first setting a target of 189, which Triangle looked on course to pass thanks to a healthy partnership built by young Pete Laming and veteran Tony Quayle. That was until Laming managed to run himself out leading to a collapse and an eventual 50 run loss.

The Sunday 1st XI was spared the agony of defeat, or possibly that mythical winning feeling, as the May rains stopped any thoughts of cricket. Meanwhile, the 2nd XI were in action at Broadstone, but lost by 5 wickets - scorecards to follow.

Fantasy Cricket

This year we're making use of the fantasy cricket competition provided by the good people at Fantastar, which will hopefully take a lot of the workload from me during the season. To sign up visit the site at www.fantastar.com, you'll need to register first, then join our league using this password: 000164Portlae9c0f1. Those who entered the league last year, providing they gave an email address, should have received an invitation to join which contains a direct link to the registration pages.

The rules are fairly simple:

Each fantasy team:

• consists of 11 players
• includes 1 Wicketkeeper, 5 Batsmen, 1 All Rounder and 4 Bowlers
• must transfer a player the day before the fixture for that player to score any points in that fixture

In previous years of the competition Triangle club members were obliged to pick themselves in their team. This season you can still abide by this ruling if you wish, or if you feel there's someone better suited to filling your role, then don't hesitate to drop yourself. The cut is always the hardest part of a manager's job.

All the players that turned out last season either for weekend league teams or evening league sides are included, and have been vaguely put in the sides that they represented the most in 2007. Any players new to the club this year will be added as and when they play and will then be available for transfer. Every player starts the season rated at 3 stars, though this can change over the course of the season depending on performances, which will also affect the transfer value. Each fantasy manager has 5 transfers they can use at any point during the season (before the season starts all transfers are free). Points will be scored for all Triangle senior fixtures, click here for a run down of the points system.

If you have any problems then please contact us via the usual address (webmaestro@prtcc.com)

Weekend Teams:

If the rains allow any play over the coming weekend, then here are the brave souls charged with upholding the good name of Triangle:

Saturday 1st XI vs Cranborne 1st XI (away): S Barrett, J Dixon, S Rathnayake, G Neven, A Smart, D Strong, D Males, L West, C Laws, A Riley, A Morris

Saturday 2nd XI vs Cranborne 2nd XI (home): P Tombs (cpt), T Quayle, P Laming, R Stewkesbury, S Males, M Males, O Whisker, S Suggs, J Locke, R Samuel

Sunday 1st XI vs Lytchett Minster (home): S Browne (cpt), T Brown, G Neven, S Rathnayake, D Males, M Males, M Gibbs, L West, A Morris, D Farley, M Nott

Sunday 2nd XI vs Broadstone 2nd XI (away): R Stewkesbury (cpt), J Locke, K Dodson, S Suggs, D Avery, C Laws, J Maisey, M Randell, S Tanner, L Hansford, M Tremlin!

St George's Weekend Beer Festival 2008

The Beer Festival Organising Committee would like to extend their thanks to all club members who turned up to help over the weekend, whether it was putting up the marquee, working behind the bar, or simply coming to sample the 18 beers and 4 ciders on offer. The event appears to have been a success, with the projected profits surpassing last year's takings. Jeff and Pauline from the George Inn have chosen to donate £300 towards their chosen charity for this year, the Haylands Pre-School.

Richard Stewkesbury, pictured, named Barnstormer his beer of the festival, ousting last year's winner Yellowhammer into second spot, which lest we forget, he described as a "Kissy-kissy beer". Barnstormer ticked all of Stewkes' boxes and he was especially impressed with the overall quality of the barrel. Thanks to Giles of Dorset Brewing Company for supplying this year's selection of ales and the Royal Portland Arms for supplying the ciders.

Pre-Season Nets

Sunday net sessions have been booked at Royal Manor Arts College at the usual time of 11am-1pm which should take us up to the first pre-season friendly. Make full use of this time before the league gets underway!

CricketForce 2008

April 5th and 6th will once again see Portland Red Triangle participating in the NatWest sponsored CricketForce event. As with previous years club members and supporters will be undertaking a wide range of tasks in preparation for the coming season. The club are looking for donations of paint and building materials, so if you have any items no longer required that may be of some use please contact Club Chairman Glyn Bartholomew on 01305-821160 ASAP.

Club Secretary Grant Neven explained: "For the past 5 years we have taken part in CricketForce and many members and supporters have given up their time to improve the pavilion and grounds. Events such as CricketForce are a great opportunity for all to put something back into the club and for non members to come along and find out more about the club. The club itself has given a lot to the local community and has given time and money to a wide range of local charities over the past few years, something the club is proud of and aims to continue. This year we are hosting and playing in various charity matches, as well as hosting the Portland Grand Charity Fete in September. Even if you can only spare a couple of hours or half a tin of paint please support the club in its efforts."

A Blast from the Past...Update

PRTCC's legendary former club captain Graham Elenor is holding a get together not at the Blues Club as previously advertised, but now at the George Inn on Friday 4 April from 7.30 onwards and would like to see as many of his former teammates as possible. The aging fool is getting married in Bangkok in August and this will be the last time to see him as a single man.

Graham will be in England from this Sunday 23 March and can be contacted by e-mail or on 07970055908.

Triangle to Host District Match

Portland Red Triangle C.C. will be hosting a district fixture on Saturday 13th September (West v South),the club are honoured to asked to stage the fixture and aim to make all players and supporters as welcome as possible,please come along and show your support for Youth cricket in the county.

Youth Team Friendly

Portland Red Triangle and Weymouth CC will be joining forces to field two combined teams for St Albans School's Tour to Dorset. The games will take start on the morning of Monday 26th May, at Redlands on pitches 1 and 2.

News from the Secretary...

1. Chance to Shine Under the ECB/Cricket Foundation Chance To Shine Scheme, PRT CC will be providing coaching at the following schools during the summer term: Wyke Regis Primary, Southwell Primary, Underhill Primary and St Georges Primary. Club Secretary Grant Neven is taking the lead and calls for all members to support the scheme were possible. He added "This is a great opportunity for the club to forge closer links with not just the schools who have signed up to the scheme but the local community as well. Hopefully the scheme will enable the club to not just show its commitment to local youth cricket, but its commitment to promote cricket at all levels."

2. Next Management Committee Meeting will take place on Tuesday 12th March at the George Inn at 7.30pm, all committee members are invited to attend.

As part of PRT CC's continued commitment to the community a select 11 from the club will play a fund raising match for the M.V. Freedom. The match will take place on Sunday 24th August and will be part of a fund raising day starting at 1.00pm. All members and supporters of the club are invited to come along a support a worthy local charity which provides sea trips for people of all ages with disabilities. PRT CC's tea ladies will be providing refreshments and the club will be firing up the BBQ, further attractions will be a raffle and live music provided by supporters of the M.V. Freedom. So please make a note in your diaries and come along on the day.

Pre-Season Nets & Youth Coaching

PRTCC begin their preparation for the coming season with training and net sessions at Royal Manor Arts College this coming Sunday 11am to 1pm. All members old and new are welcome.

1st team captain Martin Hewson looks forward to the new season, but stressed that "The club will be looking at all players this year, those who train and attend the available sessions can look forward to receiving coaching and fitness instruction, as the club builds for the future by adopting a far more professional approach to both training and pre-match warm ups."

He added "For the club to progress, we need to become more competitive both in our outlook to games and the way we prepare, I am looking for all players to show commitment both on and off the field."

PRTCC Youth training continues at All Saints School on Tuesdays 6-8pm and Royal Manor Arts College Thursdays 6-8pm, all players or those wishing to try the game for the first time are welcome to attend. All sessions are run by the club's E.C.B qualified coaches and cost £2 per session.

Club Secretary Grant Neven praised all the coaching staff for their efforts over the past two years, in which the club's youth section, with the help of Sponsorship from Portland Port, has gone from strength to strength. He added "We have achieved a lot over the last two years starting from nothing, we have forged close links with a number of schools and now have a number of players in the West Dorset Squads, including Tom and Sam Dalkins, Matthew Randell and Simom Proffitt. All the youngsters have shown great commitment and the club hopes in the near future to have players playing at County level."

For further information on these sessions or on the club please contact Club Secretary Grant Neven on 07887943621.

AGM Update

It's all change for next season, in captaincy terms anyway. Martin Hewson takes over from outgoing skipper Simon Barrett to take on the task of leading the Saturday 1st XI back up the divisions after two successive relegations. Last season's Pirates captain Pete Tombs edged out Tony Quayle by one vote to lead the Saturday 2nds, with Conrad Cole stepping into the vacancy as new Pirate captain.

After 2 years in charge of the Sunday 2nd XI, Steven "Squeaker" Browne moved up to captain the 1st XI, holding off the challenge of Alex Warner. Richard Stewkesbury was voted in to lead the 2nd XI and named Jody Locke as his vice-captain.

Dave Price is the new Triangle evening league captain after Grant Neven relinquished control to concentrate on his secretarial duties, while Glyn Bartholomew is still in charge (for now) of the George Inn side.

2008 Fixtures!

The league have released next season's weekend fixtures already. Click on the links below to see which far-flung outposts of Dorset we'll be visiting in 2008:

Saturday 1st XI | Saturday 2nd XI | Sunday 1st XI | Sunday 2nd XI

For an overview of all fixtures and events, check out our Google Fixture Calendar

For the rest of 2007's news click here