HANTS COUNTY DIVISION 3 (SOUTH)

Bashley (Rydal) 3rds 140 all out
Hayling Island 1sts 95 for 6

Bashley 3rds endured a nightmare journey to Hayling Island due to the road closures on the M27. With only 5 players present for the start, they lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Batting was difficult on a rain affected wicket and the first wicket went down before a run had been scored. Tom O’Sullivan was caught for 12 and Arno Hattingh bowled for 9 to leave Bashley at 32 for 3 after 9 overs. Opener Sam Scott batted steadily in the conditions and found some support from Mike O’Sullivan until he was caught behind for 13. Scott was eventually bowled for a battling 22 to leave Bashley at 81 for 5 after 23 overs. Achakazai hit a quick 18 runs but Bashley continued to lose wickets. A late order partnership with sensible batting between James Edmunds (17) and Tom Harris (22 not out) at least ensured that Bashley reached 140 all out in the penultimate over.

After tea, Bashley opening bowlers Tom Harris and Dan Hart produced an excellent opening spell to reduce Hayling Island to 17 for 3 after 10 overs. Persistent rain then forced the players off the field and the delay forced a run recalculation of 103 in 33 overs. Harris (3 for 13) took another wicket soon after the restart but the Hayling batsmen then started to go onto the attack. The run rate picked up as the Bashley bowlers struggled with the wet ball. Another wicket fell to Scott (1 for 16) but an ankle injury prevented him completing his 4th over. Another rain interruption further reduced the run target to 94 in 30 overs. A run out left Hayling at 73 for 5 but with the victory target in sight Martin (36 not out) continued to throw the bat. Eventually, two boundaries in the 27th over saw Hayling Island to victory in a close match seriously affected by traffic delays and the rain.