Nick Park [Bournemouth Echo]
BASINGSTOKE and North Hants have a real battle to avoid relegation from the ECB Southern League Premier Division after suffering a six-wicket defeat in their basement battle with Bournemouth at Chapel Gate.
The Bountymen lost both openers Ben Thane and Josh May with only ten runs on the board, but rallied when South African Brad Porteous (66) and Max Harsham (33) added 72 for the third wicket.
Tom Robinson (3-23) dismissed Harsham, before Porteous and David Griffiths took the score into three figures. But Ed Denham (2-53) removed both men leaving the visitors on 121-5.
The returning Jordan Hobday (44) and Brad Neal (41) took up the mantle, putting on 70 for the sixth wicket, but having been parted Robinson (3-23) and Simon Woodruff (3-46) accounted for most of the tail, as Basingstoke finished on 223-9 from their maximum 64 overs. Chris Jolley hit a quick fire 13 from 10 balls.
The Bournemouth reply did not start well as Porteous (2-53) caught and bowled Luke Matthews and then had Luke Webb caught behind by Lawrence Benge next ball. At 9-2, the Lions looked in trouble, but opener Nick Park (73) and Adam Davies (84 not out) took over with a match winning partnership of 124.
A couple of quick wickets from Ash Neal (2-42) saw him have Park caught thanks to brother Brad and then he trapped Ben Bridgen leg before to make it 147-4.
However, from there Davies (who has joined Bournemouth from the Sussex League club St James’s Montefiore) and Denham (43) steered the Dorset side to victory with three overs to spare.
An eighth defeat in nine matches leaves Basingstoke effectively 14 points adrift of Alton. Both clubs have managed only one win so far.
The Bountymen lost both openers Ben Thane and Josh May with only ten runs on the board, but rallied when South African Brad Porteous (66) and Max Harsham (33) added 72 for the third wicket.
Tom Robinson (3-23) dismissed Harsham, before Porteous and David Griffiths took the score into three figures. But Ed Denham (2-53) removed both men leaving the visitors on 121-5.
The returning Jordan Hobday (44) and Brad Neal (41) took up the mantle, putting on 70 for the sixth wicket, but having been parted Robinson (3-23) and Simon Woodruff (3-46) accounted for most of the tail, as Basingstoke finished on 223-9 from their maximum 64 overs. Chris Jolley hit a quick fire 13 from 10 balls.
The Bournemouth reply did not start well as Porteous (2-53) caught and bowled Luke Matthews and then had Luke Webb caught behind by Lawrence Benge next ball. At 9-2, the Lions looked in trouble, but opener Nick Park (73) and Adam Davies (84 not out) took over with a match winning partnership of 124.
A couple of quick wickets from Ash Neal (2-42) saw him have Park caught thanks to brother Brad and then he trapped Ben Bridgen leg before to make it 147-4.
However, from there Davies (who has joined Bournemouth from the Sussex League club St James’s Montefiore) and Denham (43) steered the Dorset side to victory with three overs to spare.
An eighth defeat in nine matches leaves Basingstoke effectively 14 points adrift of Alton. Both clubs have managed only one win so far.
