Jack Marston admits Portsmouth lived dangerously as they bounced back to winning ways in Southern Premier League Division One against previously unbeaten Rowledge at St Helens.
The city side sneaked to a one-wicket win in a nail-biting finish after nearly throwing the game away, writes Kevin Ricketts of The News, Portsmouth.
Despite losing three early wickets, Portsmouth – chasing a Rowledge total of 188-8 - looked on course for a comfortable win when they reached 169-5 – but then lost five wickets for 14 runs to leave them tottering on the edge.
Reuben McArdle and last man Andrew Marston held their nerve at the death to secure the winning runs.
'It was a close run thing but it shouldn't have been,' said Jack Marston. ‘What should have been a comfortable five-wicket win turned into a nail-biter. When they got a wicket it put us under a bit of pressure and we panicked a bit.
'Mentally we capitulated and it was all a bit nerve wracking at the finish. With our last pair at the wicket it was very much touch and go. They looked like they could get the vital wicket every other ball. Finally we managed to edge the ball down to third man and get over the line.'
Australian teenager Fraser Wilson, returning from his Sydney Grade club Gordon for a second summer, top scored with 60, while Nick Morant made 34. Former PGS youngster Dan Wallis took 4-29.
Portsmouth looked in trouble when they slumped to 22-3. Ben Duggan was run out, Matt Shaw chopped onto his stumps and Jack Marston was caught behind.
Captain Marston remained confident all the time Melville’s Fraser Hay (87) was at the crease.
The Western Australian, who came close to Perth Scorchers Big Bash T20 call up this winter, hit eight '4's' and five '6's as he anchored the Portsmouth innings receiving vital support from Wallis (66), who is now studying at Chichester University and a potential candidate for the May SPL1 Cricketer of the Month award .
It all looked in hand until Portsmouth suffered their late meltdown, caused by Chris Broad (3-28) and David Lloyd (2-24). But McArdle and Marston prevailed.
The city side sneaked to a one-wicket win in a nail-biting finish after nearly throwing the game away, writes Kevin Ricketts of The News, Portsmouth.
Despite losing three early wickets, Portsmouth – chasing a Rowledge total of 188-8 - looked on course for a comfortable win when they reached 169-5 – but then lost five wickets for 14 runs to leave them tottering on the edge.
Reuben McArdle and last man Andrew Marston held their nerve at the death to secure the winning runs.
'It was a close run thing but it shouldn't have been,' said Jack Marston. ‘What should have been a comfortable five-wicket win turned into a nail-biter. When they got a wicket it put us under a bit of pressure and we panicked a bit.
'Mentally we capitulated and it was all a bit nerve wracking at the finish. With our last pair at the wicket it was very much touch and go. They looked like they could get the vital wicket every other ball. Finally we managed to edge the ball down to third man and get over the line.'
Australian teenager Fraser Wilson, returning from his Sydney Grade club Gordon for a second summer, top scored with 60, while Nick Morant made 34. Former PGS youngster Dan Wallis took 4-29.
Portsmouth looked in trouble when they slumped to 22-3. Ben Duggan was run out, Matt Shaw chopped onto his stumps and Jack Marston was caught behind.
Captain Marston remained confident all the time Melville’s Fraser Hay (87) was at the crease.
The Western Australian, who came close to Perth Scorchers Big Bash T20 call up this winter, hit eight '4's' and five '6's as he anchored the Portsmouth innings receiving vital support from Wallis (66), who is now studying at Chichester University and a potential candidate for the May SPL1 Cricketer of the Month award .
It all looked in hand until Portsmouth suffered their late meltdown, caused by Chris Broad (3-28) and David Lloyd (2-24). But McArdle and Marston prevailed.