The quickest bowler ever seen at the BCG, that was the opinion of the Bashley supporters after watching 10 overs of real pace and aggression from the Bashley (Rydal) left arm bowler Tom Barber as he ripped out the top order Alton batsmen, not only was he quick but bowled with great control as he returned figures of 4-27, and this was after Scott Myers, the Alton captain had won the toss and asked Bashley to bat first. Openers Tom Gates and Josh Digby had a partnership of 38 when Gates (24) fell lbw to B. Mortimor (4-46), Australian Patrick Page joined Digby and together they had a 89 run partnership, the highest in the match, which ended with Page being caught in the deep for 45 off 56 balls. Captain Michael Porter was caught after stroking 2 x 4’s and the Bashley score was 137-3, Digby (51) was also caught with no further runs added. Chris Vaughan together with Chris Ridley then set about settling a few Bashley nerves with a stand of 21 but two wickets fell with the total on 158 the first was C. Ridley for 9 followed by a first baller for S. Thomson, some lusty blows from Mitch Wilson, which included 3 x 6’s in his 34, along with Vaughan (33) gave the innings a much needed boost with Simon Watkins adding 11 of 4 balls at the end and the innings closed on 240 all out in the 50th over.
Tom Barber – 4 wickets
Tom Barber took the first two wickets to fall, both with the score on 19, firstly bowling A. Hammond for 15 and the very next ball having D. Harris superbly caught by M. Porter in the slips. Then Michael Hefferman (18) was run out in a mix up with his captain and the score was 60-3. Simon Ridley (1-26) was brought into the attack and with another Porter catch dismissed Mark Hefferman for 5, with Sam Thomson bowling his 10 overs for just 17 runs and one wicket the Bashley bowlers were tying the batsmen down and when Barber trapped S. Myers lbw for 25 followed by one wicket apiece for S. Watkins and M. Wilson the Alton innings closed on 117- in the 36th over to leave Bashley winners by 123 runs after a terrific all round display. This Saturday sees the the first round of the all day matches with top of the table South Wilts the visitors for an 11.00 start which has all the makings for a great game of cricket and all spectators are very welcome.
