Harry Broderick [Roy Honeybone]
South Wilts failed to seize the initiative after twice working themselves into promising positions against Bashley (Rydal) and lost their top-table ECB Southern Premier League match at Bemerton by 21 runs.
They had Bashley up against it at 81-6, only to allow the New Forest visitors to almost double their score to 158 and then were in the driving seat themselves at 88-2, only to fall away to 137 all out.
Its given South Wilts a lot to do if they are win the title. Bashley have a 20-point lead over the second placed Hampshire Academy and are 26 points ahead of South Wilts ahead of Saturday's New Forest derby with Lymington at the Fagan/BCG.
Players faced challenging conditions as a strong wind whipped across the ground that had taken a rain battering the previous 24 hours.
Neither side managed an individual half-century, but there's increasing speculation around the circuit how many of the current crop of SPL batsmen actually have the temperament to remain at the crease, graft and physically build an innings these days.
Bashley lost Will Tripcony first ball and after a wicket brace by Aussie Ryan Freeman (3-55) were in early difficulty. Ben Walker showed resolve as Jacob Gordon (22) decided attack was best and belted five boundaries in a quick fire knock.
The table toppers slipped to 81-6 before Josh Digby (47) was joined by Ben Francis (25) in a seventh-wicket revival which, added to George Wilson featuring later, pointed Bashley to 158 (Rob Pittman 3-35).
The last four Bashley wickets added a precious 77 runs and left South Wilts with a tricky run chase which promptly became harder when Tom Cheater nicked a catch behind fifth ball.
They had Bashley up against it at 81-6, only to allow the New Forest visitors to almost double their score to 158 and then were in the driving seat themselves at 88-2, only to fall away to 137 all out.
Its given South Wilts a lot to do if they are win the title. Bashley have a 20-point lead over the second placed Hampshire Academy and are 26 points ahead of South Wilts ahead of Saturday's New Forest derby with Lymington at the Fagan/BCG.
Players faced challenging conditions as a strong wind whipped across the ground that had taken a rain battering the previous 24 hours.
Neither side managed an individual half-century, but there's increasing speculation around the circuit how many of the current crop of SPL batsmen actually have the temperament to remain at the crease, graft and physically build an innings these days.
Bashley lost Will Tripcony first ball and after a wicket brace by Aussie Ryan Freeman (3-55) were in early difficulty. Ben Walker showed resolve as Jacob Gordon (22) decided attack was best and belted five boundaries in a quick fire knock.
The table toppers slipped to 81-6 before Josh Digby (47) was joined by Ben Francis (25) in a seventh-wicket revival which, added to George Wilson featuring later, pointed Bashley to 158 (Rob Pittman 3-35).
The last four Bashley wickets added a precious 77 runs and left South Wilts with a tricky run chase which promptly became harder when Tom Cheater nicked a catch behind fifth ball.
Jake Gordon 5-wicket haul [Ian Thacker] As tea approached, opener James Degg (32) and Harry Broderick appeared to have the situation under control - only for a suicidal run out to cost Degg his wicket. South Wilts 56-2 at tea.
Broderick (42) took the initiative after the break but when he became the first of spinner Gordon's five victims at 88-2, prospects took a downturn for South Wilts.
Gordon [left] took 5-30 as South Wilts' batsmen frittered their wickets away - some to poor shot selection - as the innings fell away to 137 all out.
Broderick (42) took the initiative after the break but when he became the first of spinner Gordon's five victims at 88-2, prospects took a downturn for South Wilts.
Gordon [left] took 5-30 as South Wilts' batsmen frittered their wickets away - some to poor shot selection - as the innings fell away to 137 all out.
