Half dozen wicket haul from 15-year-old Ethan Baker seals Bashley win against Lymington
Southern Premier League Premier Division
Lymington CC 169
Bashley CC 171-5
BASHLEY will again hold the local bragging rights over Lymington after a superb six-wicket haul from teenager Ethan Baker and an undefeated 69 from Josh Digby secured a five-wicket win at Lymington Sports Ground.
Despite an impressive 84 runs from Ryan Scott, Lymington's innings came apart with yet another middle-order batting collapse.
Lymington, captained by Josh Royan for the first time in the Premier Division, lost the toss and were inevitably put in to bat, given the damp conditions following early morning storms.
Tight bowling by the Bashley left-handed opening pair ensured Lymington got off to a slow start and, after 10 overs, they were only 28-2, Brad Currie (2-18) and Ben Fletcher (1-22) removing both openers with only 10 runs on the scoreboard.
Eventually, however, Ryan Scott (84) and in-form South African Ximus du Plooy (33) gained the initiative as they put on 84 runs for the third wicket. They looked in no trouble until a needless run-out of Du Plooy by Ben Francis.
The middle-order collapse came with the next three wickets of Dan Cox (0), Henry Edwards (0) and Josh Royan (1) falling for just two runs.
Scott and new partner Josh Proctor (12) attempted to restore the innings, adding 33 runs for the seventh wicket, before James Wade added 11.
However, Scott was running out of partners. His sense of urgency probably contributed to falling short of a much-deserved century after he attacked the bowling and was out to Brad Currie in the 43rd over, having struck four fours and two sixes.
The fact that seven batsmen scored no more than two runs, with wides (20) the third-highest contributor, ended Lymington's hopes.
Hampshire U15s player Ethan Baker (6-41) did the damage, removing the final six batsmen with his spin, including two wicket maidens.
Despite the slow pitch, the Lymington total of 169 never seemed enough.
Bashley also got off to a slow start, scoring only 26 by the 10th over as James Wade (0-26) and Josh Proctor (0-32) – despite his early start from Cornwall – bowled tightly.
Stand-in captain and opener Digby and Jacob Gordon (34) continued to consolidate as they put on 67 for the first wicket. Jacob was then out LBW to off-spinner Du Plooy (3-29), with Bashley losing the next four wickets for 24 runs.
Fellow spinner Dan Cox (1-37) chipped in, removing Rhodes Franklin (0). Ben Francis (21) then partnered Josh to put on 47 for the fifth wicket before he was out LBW to Josh Royan (1-24).
However, a positive knock from Sam Stroud (23 not out), with Josh Digby, who anchored the innings in a three-hour knock, saw Bashley home by five wickets with two overs to spare.
This coming Saturday, Lymington are on their travels again to play St Cross Symondians in the season's last red ball league game. Having slipped down the table with two defeats in a row, Lymington will be anxious to record another win.
