JUBILANT chairman John Neal hailed skipper Michael Porter after he had led Bashley (Rydal) to ECB Southern Premier League Time pennant glory.
Bashley, winners in 2006, broke South Wilts’ recent monopoly having remained unbeaten in their eight timed games in the Premier Division.
The New Forest club added a fifth victory to their two draws and one tie when they registered a seven-wicket win over Alton at BCG, writes Neil Perrett.
Third last season and runners-up in 2013, Bashley topped the pile in Porter’s first season as captain, the 21-year-old having taken the reins from Simon Watkins, who stepped in briefly to replace Richard Morris.
Neal said: “Michael is mature beyond his age, both as a cricketer and as a man.
“He took on a difficult job after Richard Morris had left. He was a hard act to follow but Michael has done it in his own way.
“He is a bit more laid back but the players know who is boss. Even the older ones like Kevin Nash, Andy Neal and Neil Thurgood have a lot of respect for him.
“He does it his own way. He is very respectful and listens to what older people tell him but he picks the side he wants.
“His captaincy is a work in progress but I think he will do well. He seems to have had success with every team he has skippered and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to end up as captain of Dorset one day.”
Porter (36) remained undefeated as Bashley made light work of chasing Alton’s 229 for eight to maintain their challenge for a first SPL title.
He came to the crease after Tom Gates (47) and Simon Ridley (60) had shared 83 for the first wicket and Ridley and Chris Vaughan (36) had taken the score to 142.
And after Ridley had departed, Porter and Gav Bailiff (42) put on an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 77 as Bashley timed their reply to perfection.
Earlier, Michael Heffernan (80) and elder brother Mark (38) had lifted Alton from 73-4 to 229-8, with Josh Digby taking 3-72.
Asked whether he felt Bashley could push on and win the overall title, Neal said: “I’d be surprised if anybody were to finish above Havant. With their batting line-up, I can’t see how they are going to lose another game.
“But our lads are determined to give it a go. We will push them and so will South Wilts and Burridge. I think it is between the four of us and with five games to play, you never know.”
Bashley, winners in 2006, broke South Wilts’ recent monopoly having remained unbeaten in their eight timed games in the Premier Division.
The New Forest club added a fifth victory to their two draws and one tie when they registered a seven-wicket win over Alton at BCG, writes Neil Perrett.
Third last season and runners-up in 2013, Bashley topped the pile in Porter’s first season as captain, the 21-year-old having taken the reins from Simon Watkins, who stepped in briefly to replace Richard Morris.
Neal said: “Michael is mature beyond his age, both as a cricketer and as a man.
“He took on a difficult job after Richard Morris had left. He was a hard act to follow but Michael has done it in his own way.
“He is a bit more laid back but the players know who is boss. Even the older ones like Kevin Nash, Andy Neal and Neil Thurgood have a lot of respect for him.
“He does it his own way. He is very respectful and listens to what older people tell him but he picks the side he wants.
“His captaincy is a work in progress but I think he will do well. He seems to have had success with every team he has skippered and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to end up as captain of Dorset one day.”
Porter (36) remained undefeated as Bashley made light work of chasing Alton’s 229 for eight to maintain their challenge for a first SPL title.
He came to the crease after Tom Gates (47) and Simon Ridley (60) had shared 83 for the first wicket and Ridley and Chris Vaughan (36) had taken the score to 142.
And after Ridley had departed, Porter and Gav Bailiff (42) put on an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 77 as Bashley timed their reply to perfection.
Earlier, Michael Heffernan (80) and elder brother Mark (38) had lifted Alton from 73-4 to 229-8, with Josh Digby taking 3-72.
Asked whether he felt Bashley could push on and win the overall title, Neal said: “I’d be surprised if anybody were to finish above Havant. With their batting line-up, I can’t see how they are going to lose another game.
“But our lads are determined to give it a go. We will push them and so will South Wilts and Burridge. I think it is between the four of us and with five games to play, you never know.”
