Brad Currie too hot for South Wilts to handle [Roy Honeybone]
South Wilts found Bashley (Rydal) left-armer Brad Currie too hot to handle as they crashed to 79 all out and a thumping nine-wicket defeat in their ECB Southern Premier Division opener at Bemerton.
Exploiting the damp conditions to the full, Currie whipped out openers Tom Morton and Jack Stearman before getting James Hayward first ball to have South Wilts rocking at 26-3.
He later came back for a second spell to remove top scorer Peter Rowe and Will Harries to finish with match defining figures of 5-20.
Only Raff Hussey (15) and Rowe (17) got into double figures as the South Wilts wickets tumbled and the side was bowled out in the 28th over. Bashley, the defending Premier Division champions, cantered to victory.
Shell shocked South Wilts captain Ben Draper reflected: “Obviously, it was not an ideal start for us. Unfortunately, the batting which was our strength in the pre-season games did not go to plan, but credit to Brad (Currie), who bowled well and put us up against it early doors.
“We’ve definitely some things to work on before we play away to a much improved Bournemouth on Saturday.”
Discussing his five-wicket haul, Currie said: “I got my rewards from bowling in the right off-stump area and the first three wickets were all nicks behind.
“Harry Fisher took Tom (Morton) down the leg side. Stearman’s was a regulation edge, while Ports (Michael Porter) juggled with Hayward’s a bit at first slip before clinging on to it.”
Exploiting the damp conditions to the full, Currie whipped out openers Tom Morton and Jack Stearman before getting James Hayward first ball to have South Wilts rocking at 26-3.
He later came back for a second spell to remove top scorer Peter Rowe and Will Harries to finish with match defining figures of 5-20.
Only Raff Hussey (15) and Rowe (17) got into double figures as the South Wilts wickets tumbled and the side was bowled out in the 28th over. Bashley, the defending Premier Division champions, cantered to victory.
Shell shocked South Wilts captain Ben Draper reflected: “Obviously, it was not an ideal start for us. Unfortunately, the batting which was our strength in the pre-season games did not go to plan, but credit to Brad (Currie), who bowled well and put us up against it early doors.
“We’ve definitely some things to work on before we play away to a much improved Bournemouth on Saturday.”
Discussing his five-wicket haul, Currie said: “I got my rewards from bowling in the right off-stump area and the first three wickets were all nicks behind.
“Harry Fisher took Tom (Morton) down the leg side. Stearman’s was a regulation edge, while Ports (Michael Porter) juggled with Hayward’s a bit at first slip before clinging on to it.”
 Will Harries shoulders arms ... |  Gone for a Burton ! |
The rest of the South Wilts batting went under to Josh Digby (3-8) and Mitch Wilson (2-8).
Bashley had 53 runs on the board before Arthur Godsal trapped Digby (39) leg before. It was to be South Wilts’ only success as Alex Turner (21 not out) and teenager Jacob Gordon completed the formalities.
Bashley had 53 runs on the board before Arthur Godsal trapped Digby (39) leg before. It was to be South Wilts’ only success as Alex Turner (21 not out) and teenager Jacob Gordon completed the formalities.
 The finisher ! Bashley (Rydal) spin all-rounder Josh Digby took 3-8 before this enormous hook shot for six (which landed in the Bemerton village church graveyard) completed a fine opening day title defence for the New Forest club. Digby will be happy to talk anyone listening how far the six actually went ... |  |
