Bashley extend league lead with strong return to limited overs cricket

Southern Premier League: Bashley (Rydal) 288-6 v Alton 189 (Bashley (Rydal) win by 99 runs)

BASHLEY (Rydal) celebrated their time pennant trophy with a 99-run victory over Alton at the BCG.

Half-centuries from opener Alex Turner, Tom Friend and George Pardoe saw Bashley post 288-6 in the first innings while three wickets for Pardoe and Dan Goodey gave the hosts a resounding victory.

Bashley's limited overs win comes off the back of securing the time pennant league title last week. They were victorious in eight of their nine timed games and finished a staggering 91 points ahead of second-placed St Cross Symondians.

Alton elected to field and got off to a flying start as Bashley faltered to 44-2, Tom Jacques and Ben Walker departed cheaply, but Turner and Friend rebuilt the innings with a 92-run partnership. Friend scored 58 and Turner top-scored with 72 before both were caught to leave Bashley 183-4.

Pardoe and captain Josh Digby kept the pressure on Alton with valuable runs. Pardoe reached 57 off 52 balls before he was caught off Matt Bacon while Digby put on 34 when he was trapped LBW.

George and Mitchell Wilson chipped in with 37 runs during the final overs as Bashley reached 288-6 from their 50 overs.

In response, Alton struggled from the outset. They slumped to 37-5 with Goodey, Pardoe and Bradley Currie all claiming wickets. Scott Myers (38) and Mark Heffernan (53*) were the only batsmen to put up any resistance to the clinical Bashley bowling attack.

Alton finished on 189 inside their allotted overs, Pardoe and Goodey starring with three wickets each.

Currie and Ross Grierson claimed two wickets each as Bashley stretched their lead at the top of the overall table to 55 points over South Wilts.