ALMONDSBURY travelled to the delightful setting of Portishead on Saturday and lost an enthralling encounter.

Batting first, the visitors always kept up good momentum as the scoring rate remained around four an over.

Liam Hartigan scored 56 in the follow-up to last week’s 110 and Andy Parkinson, who scored only 14, showed stout support in their partnership of 59.

Ross Wakely scored a quick-fire 45 as Almondsbury amassed a total which did not appear enough on a fast outfield.

For Portishead, Don McMillan bowled a nagging line and length in taking 5-39.

In reply, Tom Armfield started well by sending back Jak Phillips for one.

Steve Winward began to call the tune for the home side before Abhishek Monker, making his debut for Almondsbury, had him caught at cover by Liam Hartigan.

Don McMillan fell to Armfield for eight and when Steve Braund trapped Chris Bridge lbw for one, the home side were struggling on 62-4.

Nigel Armstrong found good support from Garth Tiley but with the score on 97, he was yorked by Fraser Pepall for 37.

Thomas became Pepall’s second victim, brilliantly caught at cover by Andy Parkinson for 16, and the game was back in the balance with Portishead 134-6.

Tiley (56) and Gibson (12) took the score onto 162 before Armfield and Monker reduced the home side to 165-9.

But Stuckes (18*) found good support from Colyar (4*) and Portishead reached their target with one wicket to spare.

Armfield (3-61), Monker (3-46), Braund (1-37) and Pepall (2-31) were the Almondsbury wicket takers. l Almondsbury seconds took on Portishead at home and won by two wickets.

Mike Smith’s side restricted Portishead to 180 all out with Tom Bradley (3-31), David Bow (4-59), Smith (2-47) and Aaron Jones (1-13) all claiming wickets.

Almondsbury surpassed the Portishead total with with Craig Thompson (20), Deepak (40), Josh Slade (30) and Luke Whittiker (41) all making valuable contributions. l Almondsbury thirds completed a fine performance on Saturday, thrashing Bitton by 101 runs.

They amassed 220 all out with skipper Chris Slade scoring 63.

He received good support from Andy Manser (32) and brother Danny Slade with 27.

Bitton were then skittled out for 101, with Andy Ritchie (2-14), Danny Slade (1-17), Chris Mayo (2-44) and Joe Kewley (3-37) doing the damage.