Michael Porter at his fluent best
Bashley (Rydal)'s difficult start to the ECB Southern Premier League (SPCL) Premier Division season continued as they slipped to a seven-wicket defeat against second-placed Alton at Jubilee Ground.
Now beaten all four times and languishing ninth in the log, Bashley quickly found themselves under pressure against a disciplined Alton attack. Openers Saifullah Achakzai and teen Alex Bourne both fell cheaply, leaving the hosts 31-2 and immediately on the back foot.
The standout performer for Bashley was captain Michael Porter, who produced a battling 59 from 74 balls, having bagged first ball ducks in his previous two innings. His innings included five fours and two sixes and accounted for almost half of his side's total. Jack Stearman provided valuable support with 34, but no other Bashley batter reached double figures.
A key turning point came after Porter and Stearman had guided Bashley to 85-2. Once Stearman was dismissed, wickets fell regularly, and the innings unravelled. Bashley lost their final eight wickets for just 43 runs, with three ducks adding to their problems. Louis Prichard, George Wilson and Alvin Cameron all departed without scoring, while Cameron's dismissal completed the innings at 128 in just 35.5 overs.
Now beaten all four times and languishing ninth in the log, Bashley quickly found themselves under pressure against a disciplined Alton attack. Openers Saifullah Achakzai and teen Alex Bourne both fell cheaply, leaving the hosts 31-2 and immediately on the back foot.
The standout performer for Bashley was captain Michael Porter, who produced a battling 59 from 74 balls, having bagged first ball ducks in his previous two innings. His innings included five fours and two sixes and accounted for almost half of his side's total. Jack Stearman provided valuable support with 34, but no other Bashley batter reached double figures.
A key turning point came after Porter and Stearman had guided Bashley to 85-2. Once Stearman was dismissed, wickets fell regularly, and the innings unravelled. Bashley lost their final eight wickets for just 43 runs, with three ducks adding to their problems. Louis Prichard, George Wilson and Alvin Cameron all departed without scoring, while Cameron's dismissal completed the innings at 128 in just 35.5 overs.
The smile says it all. Freddie celebrates !
Alton's bowlers shared the rewards. Bash Walters claimed 3-25, including the prized wicket of Porter, while left-arm spinner Fred Egleston's economical 3-13 from 5.5 overs helped finish off the lower order.
Chasing 129, Alton made a confident start through Abhay Gonella, who struck 33 from 29 balls, including six boundaries. Although Bashley briefly threatened when Louis Prichard removed Gonella, and Cameron Basey dismissed Sam Ruffell, the visitors remained in control.
Teenage gloveman Alex Corbett contributed 33 during the decisive 84-run partnership with Olly Boulton, who had been out of runs since a barnstorming start against Farnham and Basingstoke North Hants in the pre-season friendlies.
Boulton, who earlier took 2-14, anchored the chase with an unbeaten 52, reaching his half-century before guiding Alton to victory with more than 20 overs to spare.
Chasing 129, Alton made a confident start through Abhay Gonella, who struck 33 from 29 balls, including six boundaries. Although Bashley briefly threatened when Louis Prichard removed Gonella, and Cameron Basey dismissed Sam Ruffell, the visitors remained in control.
Teenage gloveman Alex Corbett contributed 33 during the decisive 84-run partnership with Olly Boulton, who had been out of runs since a barnstorming start against Farnham and Basingstoke North Hants in the pre-season friendlies.
Boulton, who earlier took 2-14, anchored the chase with an unbeaten 52, reaching his half-century before guiding Alton to victory with more than 20 overs to spare.
 Alex Corbett |  Olly Boulton : all pictures by Howard Gadsby |
