Captain Porter leads the way for table-toppers Bashley
Southern Premier Division: Bashley (Rydal) CC 258 v South Wilts 199 (Bashley CC win by 59 runs)
BASHLEY captain Michael Porter scored a pivotal ton to keep Bashley top of the Southern Premier League with a 59-run away win against South Wilts.
Bashley posted 258 all out in the first innings after contributions from Porter, wicketkeeper Tom Jacques and spinner Josh Digby. In-form bowler Bradley Currie and Tom Friend each took three wickets apiece to deny the high-flying South Wilts victory.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, but Bashley slumped to 28-3 as Arthur Godsal and Luke Evans steamrolled the top order.
Bashley's resurgence came from Porter and Friend who batted with confidence before Friend departed for 22. Digby then partnered Porter and his cameo came to an end on 31 when Ryan Murray caught him off James Hayward. Jacques arrived at the crease to assist the ever-present Porter, who brought up his century.
Steady batting
With time running out, Porter went onto the attack, which eventually proved to be his downfall as he was caught for a well-made 113 which included ten fours and two sixes. Jacques followed shortly after as he was run out by Joe Cranch as Bashley concluded on 258 all out.
Bashley opening bowlers Currie and Dan Goodey, who in tandem had taken all ten wickets in back-to-back games, once again got off to a flyer. Goodey removed captain Tom Morton without scoring while Currie picked up Raff Hussey and Godsal. Josh Digby claimed Peter Rowe for 10 after Goodey's spell was cut short, to leave South Wilts struggling on 33-4.
Quick wickets
Hayward (78) and Ben Draper (39) recuperated the hosts' innings with a 110-run partnership. However, the introduction of Friend proved a masterstroke as he removed them both in quick succession. With the partnership broken, Bashley went on the attack. Mitchell Wilson, Digby and Currie took one wicket each to seal the victory.
The table-topping Bashley have now won seven of the eight games to start the season and will travel to Burridge on Saturday to build on their excellent form.
