Hampshire’s Academy side sit proudly at the top of the ECB Southern Premier League after a lower-order rally steered the youngsters to a two-wicket win over Bashley (Rydal).
Chasing Bashley’s modest 132, the Academy didn’t look potential winners at 88-7.
But an eighth-wicket stand between Ben Huntley (25) and Chris Searle (16 not out) tilted the balance and took the Academy to within striking distance of a third win in four completed matches.
They will take a minimal one-point summit lead into Saturday’s second Time pennant match at Havant, 11am.
Seven Bashley batsmen made starts on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground, with only Tom Jacques (34) progressing beyond 20 as the Academy bowlers continued to chip away and create inroads.
Oxford University bound Chris Searle (4-38) dismissed both Bash openers and was well supported by Tom Scriven (2-40) and Bashley-raised George Pardoe (2-30) as the visitors were dismissed for 132.
Teenage left-armer Brad Currie (3-28) reduced the Academy to 28-3, leaving Felix Organ (32) to keep the innings afloat.
When Sam Thomson (4-32) created further problems, the Academy slipped from 57-3 to 88-7, East Woodhay’s Toby Albert (29) having glued things together.
The odds slightly favoured Bashley at that stage, but a key 39-run stand between Huntley and Searle took the reply on to 127-8, at which point Sonny Reynolds hit two fours to clinch the win.
Chasing Bashley’s modest 132, the Academy didn’t look potential winners at 88-7.
But an eighth-wicket stand between Ben Huntley (25) and Chris Searle (16 not out) tilted the balance and took the Academy to within striking distance of a third win in four completed matches.
They will take a minimal one-point summit lead into Saturday’s second Time pennant match at Havant, 11am.
Seven Bashley batsmen made starts on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground, with only Tom Jacques (34) progressing beyond 20 as the Academy bowlers continued to chip away and create inroads.
Oxford University bound Chris Searle (4-38) dismissed both Bash openers and was well supported by Tom Scriven (2-40) and Bashley-raised George Pardoe (2-30) as the visitors were dismissed for 132.
Teenage left-armer Brad Currie (3-28) reduced the Academy to 28-3, leaving Felix Organ (32) to keep the innings afloat.
When Sam Thomson (4-32) created further problems, the Academy slipped from 57-3 to 88-7, East Woodhay’s Toby Albert (29) having glued things together.
The odds slightly favoured Bashley at that stage, but a key 39-run stand between Huntley and Searle took the reply on to 127-8, at which point Sonny Reynolds hit two fours to clinch the win.
