Digby delight as Bashley CC clinch four-wicket win over Lymington CC to go top

Southern Premier League Premier Division

Lymington CC 183
Bashley CC 185-6

BASHLEY CC continue to hold the bragging rights over their New Forest rivals Lymington after securing a four-wicket win to go top with two games played.

Thanks to the efforts of the Bashley ground staff, the match was one of only two Southern Premier League Premier Division fixtures to be fulfilled.

The 2019 Premier Division champions won the toss and asked Lymington to bat first on a damp pitch.

Lymington got off to a promising start, helped by a few dropped catches, with opening batters Terry Crabb (28) and the aggressive Ben Rogers (35) putting on 68 before the first wicket fell when Josh Digby (2-23) bowled Rogers.

The Bashley bowlers then ripped the heart out of the Lymington batting, taking the following three wickets for just nine runs.

Mitchell Wilson (4-39) proved particularly effective, delivering some lovely balls. Along with Josh Digby (2-23), they left Lymington on 77-4.

Henry Edwards (16) and Dan Cox (33) did their best to steady the ship, but Lymington's innings ended with the south coast side all out in the 44th over.

The other Bashley wicket-takers were Rhodes Franklin (2-24) and Jacob Gordon (2-29).

The hosts made a blistering start with Lymington failing to take advantage of early opportunities offered their way as openers Josh Digby (50) and Jacob Gordon (48) gaining in confidence.

The pair put their side in the driving seat with 97 runs scored for the first wicket before wicketkeeper Luke Mortimore caught Gordon off a Josh Proctor (1-41) delivery.

Captain Michael Porter (25) joined Digby, and the pair shared a partnership of 41 runs before the former was caught LBW by James Wade (3-38).

After a patient knock of almost two hours, Digby was finally out after claiming his half-century when Ryan Scott caught him off Royan (2-19).

Harry Fisher (3) and Tom Friend (14) quickly followed him back to the pavilion as paceman Wade continued his fine spell.

Just as Lymington was beginning to hope, Tom Jacques (13 not out) calmed the storm to lead Bashley home by four wickets.

Both sides play at home on Saturday, with Bashley hosting Bournemouth and Lymington entertaining New Cross Symondians.