Portsmouth & Southsea 149 for 7
Bashley (Rydal) II 151 for 7
Having eventually reached central Portsmouth after an arduous two hour journey due to motorway roadworks skipper Pat Lewis loss the toss and the home side opted for first use of a dry looking surface. The opening attack of Josh Parsons and Simon Ridley bowled with great accuracy restricting the scoring to just 20 from the first eight overs. The home side’s prolific opening pairing of Davies and Matt Benfield gradually became more fluent as the change bowlers were introduced and advanced the total to 77 before Davies (33) fell to a juggled catch by Ridley at deep square leg off Jacob Gordon , who then bowled Kanavan for nought and continued to bowled with superb control taking 2 for 11 off his eight overs. Simon Watkins ( 2 for 30) then had Davidson well caught by George Wilson at deep mid-wicket and Benfield smartly stumped by Lewis for a classy 52 off 80 balls. Tom Benfield (19) and Lee (22) tried to hit out in the closing overs but Ridley (2 for 26) and Wilson (1 for 43) mixed up their deliveries cleverly and restricted the total to a seemingly below par 149 off the 40 overs.
George Wilson – 58 not out
James Turner was unluckily bowled by a grubber second ball and then pinch hitter Achakzai was cleaned up by a decent yorker in the second over. Pat Lewis chipped to mid-off and Watkins was bowled to reduce the visitors to 36 for 4. Tom Jacques (25) and Gordon added 26 before both falling at the same score and at 62 for 6 the game was firmly in favour of the home side. Wilson then joined teenager Will Tripcony , who was batting with maturity well beyond his tender years, in a stand of 58 before the youngster was bowled for 23 off 38 balls. With 30 needed to win Wilson decided attack was his best option and with a serious of lusty straight hits he saw the visitors to victory by 3 wickets with 4 overs remaining. Wilson finishing unbeaten on 58 off 75 balls including 7 fours and a six to secure the man of the match award.
Captain Patrick Lewis
