And the league leaders maintained their 100 per cent with a comfortable win over their Chambers Park hosts.

Portadown skipper Aaron Caddell won the toss and opted to give Cregagh first use of the track. With this being the locals’ first match of the season and Cregagh’s batsmen having two games under their belts, it was the gusets who held sway.

They took advantage of some loose deliveries from the opening bowlers and made swift progress with a run rate of six per over.

In an attempt to stem the flow of runs, John Brady and John Haddock were brought into the attack, the former taking a wicket with his first ball of the season, a feat emulated by skipper Caddell later in the innings. Highlights of the innings from a local perspective was a stunning catch at first slip by John Haddock off the bowling of Brady. Picking up wickets for the home side were Brady, Caddell and James Edgar.Top scorers for the away side were Porter (88) and the inform Lang (40)

Set a daunting total of 213 to win the locals got off to a flyer with James Edgar smashing 36 runs off only 20 deliveries in a fine opening stand for the home side.

However, the dismissal of both openers led to an all-too-familiar collapse with only Simon Caddell (12), Haddock (10), Paul Edgar (13) and Ryan Caddell (14) making double figures.

Whilst disappointed to lose, captaon Caddell put things into perspective.

“This was our first competitive match of the season and we were unfortunate to be facing a much-improved Cregagh side who many are tipping to win the section,” he pointed out. “Hopefully we will step up the plate in our next outing, against Donaghadee and pick up some vital league points.”

Portadown firsts had a weekend off with rain having forced the postponement of their Junior Cup tie at Clogher. That match has been rearranged and is scheduled to be played tomorrow (Saturday) when the locals will be hoping for Caribbean conditions to welcome new signing from the West Indies, Shawn Arrendale.