Bashley's Ben Francis hits century before Totton run out of time
SPL Premier Division
Bashley (Rydal) CC 272-6
Totton & Eling CC 229-3
BASHLEY and Totton & Eling shared a high-scoring timed game at the Bashley Cricket Ground, with the home side taking the spoils of a winning draw.
Ben Francis was the stand-out man during the 272-run Bashley innings with 105 runs, but Totton were far from daunted, with their openers Fletcha Middleton (85 not out) and Bothwell Chapungu (91) taking their side to 138-1.
Bashley captain Josh Digby won the toss and elected to bat, and the choice was a good one, with the hosts putting on 171 runs for the first wicket before James Turner (66) was trapped LBW by Chapungu (1-36).
Ben Francis (105) and Jacob Gordon then shared a 39-run partnership which only ended when Jimmy Taylor caught the former off the deadly Bright Mugochi, who finished with four wickets for just 32 runs.
The wickets came a little more easily after that, with Mugochi taking three of the next four wickets of Gordon (39), Dan Goodey (14), James Trodd (6) and Harry Broderick (3), which came at the cost of just 50 runs, with Joe Bracey (1-67) taking the other.
With 272 to chase, Totton & Eling's openers, Middleton and Chapungu, wasted little time, steadily marching to 138-1. However, after facing 132 balls and hitting 16 fours, Chapungu finally succumbed when a fine Digby delivery caught him LBW.
Middleton continued to frustrate the Bashley (Rydal) bowlers with his steady approach, but new partner Conor Griffiths (11) did not fare so well, and Digby (2-45) soon took his wicket for 164-2.
Totton skipper Mugochi came to the crease and looked in an aggressive mood, racing to 22 off 19 balls before Goodey had him caught by Gordon (1-81).
Middleton and wicketkeeper Jimmy Taylor, who scored 14 off 20 balls, did their best to drag their side across the line, but they ran out of time and Bashley (Rydal) sealed the winning draw.
Both sides continue their league campaign on Saturday at 11am, with Totton & Eling playing at home against reigning champions South Wilts, and Bashley (Rydal) travelling to Havant.
