George Wilson hits out during his match winning League Cup final half-century for Bashley (Rydal). Photo Steve Harris.
George Wilson hit an undefeated half-century as Bashley (Rydal) II hauled themselves out of trouble for a second time to beat Portsmouth & Southsea by three wickets and win the Southern Premier League Cup Division 2/3 Grand Final.
The New Forest club, who lifted the Southern Premier League Division 3 title last season, were in a perilous state at 62-6 chasing down Portsmouth & Southsea’s 149-7 when seam all-rounder Wilson joined 16-year old Will Tripcony at the St James’s Park crease.
Together the seventh-wicket pair retrieved the situation – caused in the main by the P & S seam attack - almost doubling the Bashley total to 120-7 before Tripcony was bowled by left-arm spinner Kieron Dunstan (2-27) for a well made 23.
Earlier, Jake Peach (2-33), Jon Willey (2-38) and Wales bound Chris Turrell (1-27) had ripped through the Bashley top order, which sagged at 32-4 before Tom Jacques (23) hit a six and three fours in an important knock.
Problems
Dunstan (who knocked over both Jacques and Tripcony) and new skipper Ben Saunders were causing the Bashley batsmen plenty of problems on a spin friendly surface.
But once their respective spells had finished, Wilson took complete charge, opening up to crack a six and seven fours in an undefeated 58, scoring all but two of the next 30 runs Bashley needed to lift the trophy.
The New Forest club, who lifted the Southern Premier League Division 3 title last season, were in a perilous state at 62-6 chasing down Portsmouth & Southsea’s 149-7 when seam all-rounder Wilson joined 16-year old Will Tripcony at the St James’s Park crease.
Together the seventh-wicket pair retrieved the situation – caused in the main by the P & S seam attack - almost doubling the Bashley total to 120-7 before Tripcony was bowled by left-arm spinner Kieron Dunstan (2-27) for a well made 23.
Earlier, Jake Peach (2-33), Jon Willey (2-38) and Wales bound Chris Turrell (1-27) had ripped through the Bashley top order, which sagged at 32-4 before Tom Jacques (23) hit a six and three fours in an important knock.
Problems
Dunstan (who knocked over both Jacques and Tripcony) and new skipper Ben Saunders were causing the Bashley batsmen plenty of problems on a spin friendly surface.
But once their respective spells had finished, Wilson took complete charge, opening up to crack a six and seven fours in an undefeated 58, scoring all but two of the next 30 runs Bashley needed to lift the trophy.
 Majestic Matt Benfield |  Jack Davies |
Portsmouth & Southsea’s 149-7 had largely been built around openers Matt Benfield (52) and Jack Davies (33), who put on 77 before Bashley’s own spinners got into the act.
The openers fell to the spin of Simon Watkins (2-30) and the emerging Jacob Gordon (2-11 off eight) as P & S dropped to 94-4 when Benfield became the first of two smart stumpings by Bashley skipper Patrick Lewis.
Dean Lee (22) and Tom Benfield (19) added 42 before both fell victim to Simon Ridley (2-26) as P & S saw their last three wickets go for 12 runs.
The openers fell to the spin of Simon Watkins (2-30) and the emerging Jacob Gordon (2-11 off eight) as P & S dropped to 94-4 when Benfield became the first of two smart stumpings by Bashley skipper Patrick Lewis.
Dean Lee (22) and Tom Benfield (19) added 42 before both fell victim to Simon Ridley (2-26) as P & S saw their last three wickets go for 12 runs.
 Bashley (Rydal) seconds (above) celebrate their Southern Premier League Cup Division 2/3 triumph, while right skipper Patrick Lewis holds the pennant and trophy. |  |
