Bashley finally clinched the division 3 title with an emphatic 60 run win over strugglers Purbrook at the BCG.
Arno Hattingh and Marcus Lewis added 43 in quick time before Lewis was dismissed. Two quick wickets then fell before Chris Vaughan (29) joined Hattingh in a stand of 55 to leave the home side on 105 for 4 after 24 overs. Sam Stroud once again played positively from the beginning of his innings and Hattingh continued to increase in confidence as the two added 143 in just 24 overs before Stroud was bowled for a destructive 82 from just 78 balls including 7 fours and 2 sixes. Hattingh brought up his second league century of the season before being dismissed in the 49th over for 112 including 11 fours and 1 six. The innings eventually closed at 261 for 7 from their 50 overs.
Arno Hattingh – 112
The visitors’ reply started disastrously as Stroud and Sean Read (1 for 31) reduced them to 6 for 3 in the first 4 overs. The classy McCoy once again relished the chance to bat on a flat wicket and together with Spiers (30) added 76 before the latter became Vaughan’s first victim in a spell of 2 for 26 from 7 overs. Mengham (41) made the major contribution in a stand of 59 with McCoy who was skilfully kept off strike by accurate bowling and thoughtful field placement as the required rate continued to climb to leave the visitors needing 95 off the last ten overs. Stroud returned to have Mengham caught behind and eventually bowled McCoy for 101 off the last ball of the match to return season’s best figures of 5 for 27 and signal the start of joyous celebrations.
Sam Stroud – 82 runs and 5 wickets
