Bashley 2s lose last-over thriller

Bashley’s hopes of recording a maiden Southern Premier League Division 2 win were dealt a cruel blow on Saturday, losing in the last over to Tichborne Park. Chasing 225-6, Tichborne looked in trouble at 62-4 (Ross Grierson 3-32), before a magnificent 131-run stand between captain Will Allam (56) and Tom Allam tipped the game in the visitors’ favour. Sean Read (3-42) bravely took the game into the last over, but Tichborne’s ninth-wicket partnership held firm and closed out a thrilling chase with just three balls to spare.

Bashley had earlier posted their highest total of the season on a BCG pitch that offered good pace for the bowlers, but came on nicely for batsmen. The New Forest side got off to flyer, openers Phil Morris and Ryan Taylor punishing some wayward new-ball bowling, putting 44 on the board at more than a run-a-ball before Taylor was trapped LBW for 18. Chris Vaughan, playing his first game of the season, joined Morris at the crease, and the pair moved the total serenely to 97, before captain Morris (54 from 67 balls) was caught off a leading edge, moments after registering his first half century of season. Bashley lost wickets at regular intervals, and despite Vaughan’s well-built 45, looked to fall short of a par score before Neil Taylor, continuing his fine early season run of form, blasted a quick-fire 38.