CERNE VALLEY 203-9 (20pts) beat PORTLAND RT 165 (7pts) by 38 runs

PORTLAND Red Triangle suffered their first loss of the County Division One season as bogey team Cerne Valley lived up to their reputation with a 38-run victory at Simsay Oval.

Triangle have a well-documented poor record at Cerne and lost their most recent encounter last season by 33 runs.

With the omens against them, Portland nevertheless made an excellent start as Simon Proffitt (3-29) struck twice to remove Craig Kellaway (1) and Ross Hurford (0) at 7-2.

George Chubb (19) rebuilt for the hosts before he offered a catch to away skipper Matt Randell off Matt Barrett (1-51), sparking a big collapse.

Randell (2-24) weighed in by removing Simon Green and Joe Message for ducks as Cerne lost three wickets for no runs in stumbling to 47-5.

Only superb innings from Martin Whitmarsh (59) and Pearce Mercer (35), the duo striking 11 four and six maximums between them, rescued the hosts who posted 203-9 from 45 overs.

Portland made a measured response, losing only Ryan Price (20) to Dave Portch (1-29) in reaching 73-1.

However, the islanders then lost five wickets for 32 runs as well-set duo Callan Laws (30) and Ray Emery (11) slipped to spinner Mike Collinge (2-22) and Whitmarsh (2-18) dismissed key men Proffitt (1) and Randell (4).

Lloyd Mitchem (2-29) ousted Ollie Whisker for 105-6 and Portland never recovered despite spirited knocks from Chris Leake (47) and Chris Theakstone (20).

Elsewhere, Joe Adkins (70), Rich Samuel (56no), Dave Adkins (54) and Khylo Farley (51) all hit half-centuries as Portland Red Triangle Seconds posted a whopping 276-6 from 40 overs against Poole Town Thirds.

Conor Waring hit 41 in reply but Triangle were too strong as they won by 93 runs in County Division Five.

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