BEAMINSTER 189 (19pts) beat PORTLAND RT 131 (7pts) by 58 runs

PORTLAND Red Triangle lost to Beaminster by 58 runs in their County Division One relegation battle at the Memorial Ground.

Beaminster have now dragged Triangle deep into the relegation picture, with Portland in sixth and Beaminster in ninth, the first drop zone spot, separated by just five points.

Only two games of the season remain, with a maximum 20 points available for victory in each.

Beaminster won the toss and batted first on a pitch that showed signs of wear as the match endured.

READ MORE: Beaminster beat Swanage by ten runs

Eddie Moles (4-29) broke through with two early scalps and Joel Davey (1-27) dismissed Simon Jones before a crucial partnership in hostile conditions between Ben Golledge (42) and Rich Runyard (44).

They set the platform for a competitive total and 31 extras, coupled with respective scores of 13 and 11 from Ross Baker and Adam Moss, inched Beaminster to 189 all out.

Portland were aggressive in response and built to 74-1 after the early casualty of Mark Caswell (10) to Ollie Bareham (1-18).

However, 74-1 became 74-3 as Dave Adkins (39) and Simon Barrett (16) were dismissed.

The latter was the first of four victims for Jones, who delivered one of the most memorable spells of seam bowling seen at Beaminster.

The all-rounder took a magnificent 4-7 from nine overs, including five maidens, to decimate Portland’s middle order.

George Munro (17) was run out and Portland’s tail swiftly followed as they were dismissed for 131.

Portland skipper Matt Randell told Echosport: "It was a really good game.

"The pitch got worse and worse to bat on so it was a crucial toss. I was keen to bat and so were they.

"They applied pressure on to us, the way we went about it was the only way we could've done. But the bad balls you just couldn't put away.

"It's hard to then counteract that pressure."

Elsewhere, Portland's second team earned 20 points as Cattistock & Symene scratched their Division Five clash.

Portland host Stalbridge on Saturday (1pm).