Phil Morris [Terry Nash]
Phil Morris, with a key half-century, and left-arm seamer Chris Vaughan, with a significant 4-32 return, were the key players as Bashley (Rydal) seconds maintained their unbeaten start in Southern Premier Division Three with a narrow four-run win over Portsmouth & Southsea.
It was a case of so near and yet so far again for Portsmouth & Southsea, who were once again left ruing a poor performance with the bat as they fell short chasing Bashley’s 125 all out at St James’s Park.
They looked in good order at 46-2 (Oli Kanavan 20/Jack Davies 17), but that however was as good as it got for the city side as wickets started to tumble, Vaughan removing four of the top six.
They still only needed four runs to win when Chris Turrell was clean bowled by Alex Turner second ball of the 40th over.
“We threw the game away,' said P & S vice-captain Matt Benfield. “It was nothing to do with the wicket and we only have ourselves to blame. I have seen some collapses and this was right up there with the worst. Our batting was less than ordinary and all in all it wasn't a good day.”
The game started well for Portsmouth & Southsea after they won the toss, Jake Peach (3-22) bowling beautifully, swinging the ball both ways to remove Alex Turner and James Underwood and leave Bashley 1-2.
But Morris, with a resolute 55, supported by James Turner (23) and skipper Patrick Lewis (17) rallied to help the visitors reach 125.
“Once we bowled them out cheaply we thought that it would be a case of knocking the runs off and having it done and dusted by 5-30pm,” said Benfield. “But it is never quite as simple as that and so it proved.”
Neil Taylor (2-15), with an immaculate ten over spell, and Sam Stroud (2-23) got into the P & S middle and late order as the hosts fell to 121 all out and a fourth successive defeat.
* Brothers in arms. Twins Alex and James Turner opened for Bashley, with Matt and Tom Benfield doing likewise for P & S.
* Rain hit the remainder of the SPL3 programme, with the matches at Fareham, Lymington and Purbrook being called off and Trojans’ game with Tichborne Park abandoned after the visitors had been bowled out for 134.
It was a case of so near and yet so far again for Portsmouth & Southsea, who were once again left ruing a poor performance with the bat as they fell short chasing Bashley’s 125 all out at St James’s Park.
They looked in good order at 46-2 (Oli Kanavan 20/Jack Davies 17), but that however was as good as it got for the city side as wickets started to tumble, Vaughan removing four of the top six.
They still only needed four runs to win when Chris Turrell was clean bowled by Alex Turner second ball of the 40th over.
“We threw the game away,' said P & S vice-captain Matt Benfield. “It was nothing to do with the wicket and we only have ourselves to blame. I have seen some collapses and this was right up there with the worst. Our batting was less than ordinary and all in all it wasn't a good day.”
The game started well for Portsmouth & Southsea after they won the toss, Jake Peach (3-22) bowling beautifully, swinging the ball both ways to remove Alex Turner and James Underwood and leave Bashley 1-2.
But Morris, with a resolute 55, supported by James Turner (23) and skipper Patrick Lewis (17) rallied to help the visitors reach 125.
“Once we bowled them out cheaply we thought that it would be a case of knocking the runs off and having it done and dusted by 5-30pm,” said Benfield. “But it is never quite as simple as that and so it proved.”
Neil Taylor (2-15), with an immaculate ten over spell, and Sam Stroud (2-23) got into the P & S middle and late order as the hosts fell to 121 all out and a fourth successive defeat.
* Brothers in arms. Twins Alex and James Turner opened for Bashley, with Matt and Tom Benfield doing likewise for P & S.
* Rain hit the remainder of the SPL3 programme, with the matches at Fareham, Lymington and Purbrook being called off and Trojans’ game with Tichborne Park abandoned after the visitors had been bowled out for 134.
