PORTLAND RED TRIANGLE 155-8 (8pts) lost to WEYMOUTH SECONDS 156-2 (19pts) by 8 wickets

A BRILLIANT innings from Dean Janaway helped Weymouth cause something of a surprise at Redlands as they saw off Portland by eight wickets in Division Three of the Dorset League.

Despite losing the toss for the fourth time in five home games, Weymouth were quick to take advantage as the visitors elected to bat on what looked like a good wicket.

Craig Croxford took a brilliant catch at second slip off Michael Pearce, inset, whose fiery pace proved too much for Portland’s early order batsman.

Pearce grabbed two more wickets in quick succession to have the visitors reeling at 9-3.

Weymouth’s ‘Mr Economy’ Graham Puckett was proving as miserly as ever and was unlucky when he had opener Christian Brown (14) dropped at gully off his first ball.

Soon the visitors were in more trouble at 36-5 and Puckett went on to finish his spell with amazing figures of 12 overs, eight maidens, 1-7.

At the other end, young spinner Harry Mitchell continued his good run of form following his four wickets at Dorchester with a tidy spell of 1-39 off 11.

Portland skipper Simon Barrett (40), with the assistance of Ollie Whisker (39), attempted to add some respectability to the score with a fine partnership of 78, but they were unable to break the shackles until late in the innings.

Scott Males also hit a quickfire 25 not out to boost the visitors’ score to 155-8. Pearce finished with 3-57 and off spinner Ryan mopped up the tail with 3-49.

Despite a fine opening spell from Simon Proffitt (1-24) and the loss of opener Dave Blackman (2), none of the other Portland bowlers looked like taking wickets.

Janaway, looking to recapture some much-needed form, batted superbly in making 94 not out and he was supported by Croxford (36) to see the hosts home with 10 overs to spare and with eight wickets intact.

“This was a fine result for us and probably a bit of an upset for the visitors,” said Weymouth captain Andy Jarvis.

“Michael Pearce is certainly one of the quickest bowlers in the league and his pace was too much for Portland’s top order.

“Graham Puckett was very unlucky not to have picked up more wickets with a number of chances being put down.

“Our catching was the only disappointment and we were lucky we weren’t punished too much for our mistakes. It is something we need to work on in training.

“Batting wise, it was a pleasure to watch Dean show his true class and I’m sure he will now build on that and score a lot more runs this season.”