Pardoe and Goodey guide Bashley to winning draw despite rain stopping play

SPL Premier Division

Alton CC 155

Bashley (Rydal) CC 108-2

BASHLEY (Rydal) picked up some much-needed points as they strive to avoid relegation, but they will rue what could have been after rain cut short what looked like a march to victory.

Bashley have struggled to win so far this season, with just two wins from seven games, but after bowling Alton for 155 runs, they looked on course for victory at 108-2.

The winning draw lifts the New Forest side off the foot of the table, with Alton now trailing by 2.071 points.

Bashley had all-rounder George Pardoe (3-30) to thank for their excellent start, with the opening three wickets of Ryan Hale (10), Daniel Harris (4) and Sam Ruffell (4) falling after 23 runs.

A Michael Porter catch off Dan Goodey (1-37) followed two runs later, but some excellent middle-order batting saw Alton repair the damage from 25-4 to finish all out at 155.

The other wickets came from Joe Huns (2-29), George Wilson (2-22), Josh Digby (1-16) and Preetpal Singh (1-6).

With the bat in hand, Will Tripcony was an early casualty, losing his wicket to Tom Andrews (1-18) after scoring five runs, but his fellow opener Goodey was in no mood to succumb so easily.

The former Devon cricketer carved out a disciplined and undefeated 56 off 104 balls in a knock that included six four and a six.

Along with Finn Gordon (12) and captain Porter (31 not out), he guided Bashley (Rydal) to 108 runs in 31.3 overs, which, when the rain came, was enough to secure a winning draw.

Bashley (Rydal) face local rivals Totton & Eling away from home on Saturday at 11am.