ELLESMERE Port were handed a double blow at home to Radbroke Hall on Saturday as they not only lost the match by five wickets but bowler Steve Dorrington with an injury that is likely to see him sidelined for the rest of the season.
Home skipper Phil Ashton lost the toss and was asked to bat with Colin Roberts, making just eight before being caught by Shuttleworth off Almond (2-67).
Ashton (18) was caught by Shuttleworth off Atef (3-25) and after Cheeseborough (1) was bowled by Sinha (2-11), a batting collapse ensued with Andy Sayers and Davies going for ducks, both stumped by the keeper off Sinha and Ahmed (3-22) respectively.
Isaacs made 28 before being caught and bowled by Ahmed, while Almond bowled Boys (19) and John Park (8) was trapped lbw by Ahmed.
Steve Dorrington (23) was in swashbuckling form, hitting three fours and a six in a single over as Port fought back, before he was bowled by Atef who also caught Betteridge (18) lbw to close the innings on 146, with Daniels left nine not out.
Port's reply started brightly with John Park (3-53) bowling Forsyth for one, but the visitors responded with Christison making 35 before being caught behind by Ashton off Park.
Reynolds (10) was bowled by Park while Shuttleworth (17) was caught in the deep by Boys off Betteridge (2-42). And when Roberts (2) was caught lbw by Betteridge, Port looked like they were in the box seat with the visitors requiring 70 runs off 13 overs.
But after in-form bowler Dorrington dropped out with a pulled shoulder, the home side lost their way as Ahmed (49no) and Sinha (21no) steered Rad-broke Hall to victory.
Ellesmere Port took nine points and Radbroke Hall 20.
