Returning Goodey tantalises Bashley (Rydal) faithful

DAN Goodey underlined the potential significance of his return to Bashley (Rydal) CC with an outstanding performance in the New Forest club’s four-wicket defeat by ECB national champions Bath CC at North Parade.

Goodey transformed Bashley’s innings, clouting five sixes and eight fours in a 54-ball 78, his highest club score, before finishing with three wickets.

Goodey has been playing for Plymouth in the Devon League apart from in 2018 and 2019 when he was studying at Bournemouth University. However, he is back and ready to play a vital role in Bashley’s Southern Premier League challenge this summer.

He stepped up with Bashley rocking at 100-6 (Jacob Gordon 33) against last season’s ECB Royal London national club champions.

He dominated a century seventh-wicket recovery with Saif Achalzai (36) before adding more vital runs with Mitch Wilson (28) as a potentially modest Bashley score soared to 260-9 off 50 overs.

Gloucestershire’s Ben Wells (70) led Bath’s response but was ultimately one of three victims for Goodey (3-60), who made inroads into the powerful West of England Premier League side’s batting. Finally, however, Dorset’s Sam Young (69 not out) and Harry Hankins (31) secured a four-wicket win with six overs remaining.