Bashley blitz Burridge after first ball knockout

Southern Premier Cricket Premier Division: Burridge 196-9 vs Bashley (Rydal) 197-1

BASHLEY Rydal started the season impressively as they made light work of Burridge, cruising to a nine-wicket Southern Premier victory at the BCG.

Visitors Burridge elected to bat after winning the toss but were soon regretting that decision as Bashley bowler Bradley Currie (1-16) pinned opener Joe Collings-Wells LBW with the first ball of the season.

In the second over Bashley’s day got even better when Dan Goodey (2-40) tempted the dangerous stalwart Derek Kenway to drive straight into the hands of cover to leave the visitors 0-2.

However, two steady innings from middle order batsmen Richard Lock and Hilio De Abreu got Burridge back on track.

Lock eventually departed one short of his half-century while De Abreu was run out on 63 after good fielding from Ross Grierson.

Number nine Oliver Southon hit an unbeaten 30 to give the hosts a target of 197 to win. Josh Digby was the pick of the Bashley bowlers with 3-39.

Comfortable run chase

In response, Bashley looked comfortable with the bat despite opener Tom Friend falling for 32 after he was caught off De Abreu's bowling.

Timothy Taylor (76*) and Ben Walker (55*) shared a 151 run second-wicket partnership as the hosts coasted to a nine-wicket victory on the opening day of the season.

Bashley will travel to Newclose CCG on Saturday to face the Hampshire Academy.