VS PRESCOT & ODYSSEY AWAY 30/4/11

Another lost toss for Skipper Thompson as last year’s Champions put Portland into bat on a very nice surface. A better start for ‘Wine saw them reach 34 before Thompson (10) was removed, with Hooton and Francis following quickly both for 4. Howe (22) and Van Der Merwe (17) then put together a bit of a stand with Cowey (21) and Morris (14) as they were bowled out for 117. Prescot took 22 over’s to reach the 118 target, assisted by some poor fielding, and not enough support for Francis (0 for 21) and Van Der Merwe (2 for 69) as Prescot rattled up an 8 wicket victory, but an improvement nonetheless.

VS WINSTANLEY PARK AWAY 7/5/11

A horrible rain affected day at Winstanley Park saw the match reduced to 40 over’s and only get underway at 3:35pm after some excellent work done on the pitch by the home side. Again Thompson was defeated at the toss and again Portland were asked to bat. Steve Howe (35) and Pete Baker, returning from injury, got the visitors away to a good start putting on 70 for the first wicket and with wickets falling the only other significant contributions were Rich Cowey with an excellent 21 and Phil Jones with 10, but not enough support for Baker who notched up a half century finishing with a tidy 54 as they finished on 149, desperately short of another 2 points at 150. Winstanley started aggressively and again some under par fielding helped Crompton to 90 not out and Darbyshire 31 not out as Park claimed a 5 wicket victory in the fading light. Some decent bowling from Baker (2 for 49) and Van Der Merwe (2 for 70) wasn’t helped by the inability to hold catches.

VS AUGHTON HOME 14/5/11

Another rainy day, another lost toss for Thompson and put into bat, again! This time ‘Wine scraped 150 with Pete Hooton (37) hitting a bit of form and Steve Van Der Merwe batted ‘til the end for 47 not out supported well by James (22). Aughton had a go early on but the game ended with a winning draw for Portland as the Aughton innings closed on 82 for 3 as time ran out. Francis was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 24 as Portland again lacked aggression in the field.

VS CHORLEY ST. JAMES AWAY 21/5/11

Another dour overcast day at Chorley saw Thompson guess right at the toss and a few eyebrows were raised when he put Chorley into bat. The return of the evergreen Gary Cragg (1 for 32) to boost the bowling attack paid early dividends as Foster was removed early with a good catch from Van Der Merwe at second slip, but it was the bowling of Van Der Merwe himself that took the eye. He bowled a superb spell and terrorised the Chorley batsmen and his 1 for 59, a superb caught and bowled, should have been so much more had catches been held, with Baker himself finishing on 1 for 59 and a nice cameo from Skipper Thompson who bowled five good over’s at the end and taking 2 for 29 as Chorley surprisingly declared on 184 leaving Portland ample time to reach their 185 target. The ‘Wine top order showed good character amidst difficult conditions and some unsporting petulance. Steve Howe (23) and Baker (11), then Cowey (26) and Van Der Merwe put on 46 then James joined Van Der Merwe and they scored well to take the score to 141, but as time ran out as Portland lost 4 over’s due to rain, left them needing over 9 an over, and unfortunately fell agonisingly short by 20 runs.

VS HESKETH BANK HOME 28/5/11

Another lost toss as Portland were asked to bat. Howe and Baker put on 64 before Howe was removed for 11. Cowey (17) then joined Baker and they put on 56 for the third wicket and Van Der Merwe (39 not out) added 61 with Baker who reached a superb 108 as Portland finished on a very competitive 203. Hesketh Bank set their stall out early with some aggressive hitting, but despite some poor fielding and spilled catches, wickets fell regularly, but ultimately handed Hesketh Bank a 3 wicket victory with 5 over’s to go with Van Der Merwe finishing with 4 for 76 and Francis weighing in with 2 for 51.

VS HAYDOCK AWAY 4/6/11

A much weakened Portland Wine who turned up with 10 men due to late cry offs, performed admirably against the current league leaders Haydock. Skipper for the day Richard Cowey in Thompson’s absence won the toss and sensibly batted first in good conditions. Steve Howe (40) started brightly and after the unfortunate early loss of last Baker (2), Paul Hooton came in and batted well for his 26 with a 50 partnership with brother Pete Hooton (41), and with quick runs from Cowey (7) and James who hit 23 from 15 balls as a quick collapse left them with 154. Always up against it, Baker bowled a superb spell for his 2 for 57 and Alex Rimmer with an expensive 1 for 49 as Haydock coasted to a 7 wicket victory in 23.1 over’s

VS TARLETON HOME  11/6/11

Thompson won the toss and batted in this home game against Tarleton, and with high hopes of a big score, with a very quick outfield, the 'Wine batsmen were aggressive early but Howe Sr.(9) was removed in the sixth over after being yorked by Harrison. Thompson (9) was next to go after an incredible caught and bowled. Hooton was then sent back without bothering ther scorers, before Van Der Merwe joined opener Francis in a partnership worth 51, before Francis went for 37 after a gift catch to mid off. James and Cowey both went for a quick 8 before a great knock from Phil Jones (23) as he and VDM added 43 for the 7th wicket. Morris (4) left early and with runs drying up for a brief spell, out came Howe Jr. (18)to add a speedy 35 with Van Der Merwe, and with Marshall being run out on the final ball, Van Der Merwe finished with an excellent 83 not out as Portland ended on a very competitive 210. Tarleton came out of the blocks reaching 54 of the first 10 overs but wickets began to fall, with Francis (1 for 28) starting the ball rolling. Then on came Thompson (3 for 49) who along with Van Der Merwe (5 for 55), reduced Tarleton to 9 down with 4 overs left. Not even the introduction of Howe Sr. at the end could spur them on for the final wicket, and Portland fell agonisingly short of their first victory in the top flight, as Tarleton held on, finishing on 155 for 9.

VS EARLESTOWN AWAY  18/6/11

Victory at last! Thompson lost the toss against Earlestown, and Portland Wine were asked to field first on quite a lively pitch. Earlestown's Melling got the home side off to a flier with a quickfire 40 until Van Der Merwe had him caught behind by Marshall with a beauty, a similar delivery should have seen the back of the other opener, Maclaren, but the decision went against 'Wine after what seemed a good 'nick' into Marshall's gloves, but unlike the sporting Melling, Maclaren stood his ground. After Melling's dismissal, wickets began to fall regularly with Pottage (2 for 26) bowling a very good spell along side the ever dependable Van Der Merwe (17-5-51-2), and  Baker coming on for Pottage also kept the pressure on 'Town but with fortunate opener Maclaren still at the crease he and Jones put on 30 until Skipper Thompson gambled on himself to break the partnership, and did so with aplomb as he removed both batsmen finishing with 2 for 4 from his 3 overs, and Baker mopped up with an excellent 4 for 31 as the host's were all out for a below par 117, a performance marred by the double injury to Morris, after he split his finger at square leg, and strained his groin after a chase to th boundary doing an impersonation of Evel Knievel! Portland got the chase off to a good start with Steve Howe (16) and Pete Baker (26) putting on 31 for the 1st wicket, befor Howe was removed after a horrible shot! Cowey (11) and Baker moved the score to 53, and Van Der Merwe joined Baker adding 25 to the total before Baker was very unfortunate to be 'triggered' LBW. Jones(5) provide good support for Van Der Merwe, who appeared to have torn a sock whilst batting, as they put on 18 and then James (12 not out) didn't hang about as he and VDM saw out the game with Van Der Merwe finishing on 35 not out, 20 points.

VS NORLEY HALL HOME  25/6/11

Another lost toss, and batting first again. Steve Howe opened up with Paul Hooton and was soon back in the pavilion for 4 as Cowey came out fighting only to miss a straight one on 26. Pete Hooton joined his brother as they piled 8 runs on in 11 overs, before Pete was caught for a duck. Jones and Van Der Merwe both added 16 as Portland fizzled to 120 all out with 4 overs left. Defending 120 was never going to be easy, but Pottage (1 for 20) and Thompson (2-31) both bowled well as Norley reached their target easily with an enormous hit from Simon Hatch.

VS HALSALL WEST END HOME  2/7/11

Portland wine batting first and disappointingly lost Baker early, but a stand of 47 with Steve Howe and Paul Hooton looked promising before Howe was removed for 24. Francis(20) and Cowey (23) both had ago, but couldn't stick around before a quick cameo from Pottage (18no) in a 49 stand with Cowey at the death helpeb the Wino's to 143. Halsall didn't hang around, and Pottage claimed the dangerous Briggs, well held by Steve Howe, but was expensive as stand in skipper Rich Cowey called on the experience of Baker (11.2-4-34-4) and Ste Howe (10-2-37-1) with two great spells but SSEYwith a great knock of 55 not out, old adversary Colin Parrot saw the away side home by 4 wickets.

VS RUFFORD AWAY  9/7/11

A poor batting display for Portland today as analmighty collapse nearly ended in embarrassment as Portland were down and out at 14 for 5 before skipper Thompson (29) was joined by Phil Jones (24) as the pair played sensibly and put on 57 for the sixth wicket before Jones was removed, and after that they crawled to 82. 'Wine bowled and fielded well, and didn't make it easy for the league leaders with Cragg enjoying his retirement with an excellent spell (1-41) as Rufford cemented their place at the top of the league with an easy win.

VS HAYDOCK AWAY  10/7/11  (Sandhurst Shield Semi-Final)

Portland Wine fell at the Semi final stage of this competition after a relatively easy run previously (one bye, one walkover!) and they started well with Howe (23) and the returning Bushell (13) putting on 37 before both went to Brown in the space of an over. Van Der Merwe (34) continued his good form with the bat, but when James went for 14 the rest of the middle order went with 3 wickets for Hewitt in one over as 'Wine, despite some runs at the death from Dan Howe and Karl Marshall, went from 96 for 4, to 113 all out. Haydock reached the final in just 22.4 overs despite a superb spell from Van Der Merwe (9-2-25-3), the home side claimed a 6 wicket victory.

VS PRESCOT AND ODYSSEY HOME  16/7/11

Prescot decided to bowl on a wet pitch and last year's Champions had the 'Winos struggling at 33 for 5 - enter Pete Baker (85) and Phil Jones (40). The pair put on 78 in 17 overs to rescue Portland and then Tom Pottage (21), fresh from a naked bar, added anothe 47 with Baker, and as the innings came to a close, needing 3 from thee last ball to claim 2 points, Morris played a text book forward defensive stroke!! 173 to win? Easy!! Unfortunately for Prescot and their title charge, Portland bowled and fielded well, putting the away side under pressure to play shots, and wickets fell regularly with the excellent Baker (9-4-20-2) having to come out of the attack with a damaged sock, and it was skipper Thompson (11-1-41-3) who continued to assist Van Der Merwe (20-3-76-2) as, with a bit more luck, may have recorded a famous victory as Prescot limped to 138 for 7, and hanging on. An excellent performance from 3 batsmen and 11 fielders.

VS WINSTANLEY PARK  HOME  23/7/11

Winstanley won the toss and batted on a good dry pitch, with fast out field, and got off to a flier! Kieran Crompton (64) and Whittaker (57) put on 136 in 24 overs before both went quickly to Thompson (1-37) and Sean Cragg (1-22), both pouched by Richie Marshall behind the wicket. Suddenly after 300 looked a likely score, the wickets tumbled, with skipper Ouwerkerk a quick 31 as Park fell for 203 with Van Der Merwe (17-3-56-4) winning the battle of the South Africans, aided by Pete Baker ( 2-68) and Steve Howe (1.1-0-2-1). Confident of a reachable target on a good pitch, Portland's openers seemed to be going well, until Baker parted company with Howe for 2. But Steve Howe continued to attack with an excellent 44 with help from Eddie James (28) and Tom Pottage (17) and Van Der merwe (16). Sadly the wickets kept falling, and at 128 for 8 with over 7 an over required and only two wickets remaining, all seemed lost. Thompson went out to bat with Marshall and after a quick chat, it was clear that the pair were going for it! They put on 65 in 8 overs before Thompson fell to a brilliant catch from bowler Thorley, making 27 from 17 balls, leaving 'Wine needing 11 from 3 overs, which Karl Marshall made light work of, with a 4, followed by a 2 and then a 6 off Ouwerkerk, to win the game and bring up his 50 from 33 balls.

VS AUGHTON  AWAY  30/07/11

Aughton won the toss and decided to bowl in this tight relegation battle. Steve Howe (12) and Pete Baker (17)started brightly but Howe went early as Francis (19) and Baker added 43 beforeFrancis was unfortunate with an LBW decision. Baker then went with Pottage (6) following quickly, but Cragg jr went about his job well with some good attacking cricket before departing for 36.