Bashley (Rydal) Cricket Club’s relegation fears grow after St Cross crushing

SPL Premier

Bashley (Rydal) CC 81

St Cross Symondians CC 85-3

St Cross Symondians’ Australian pace bowler Sam Beer wrecked troubled Bashley (Rydal) with a six-wicket return, setting up an easy win for the defending SPL Premier champions.

While St Cross have a second consecutive title in their sights, Bashley are in serious relegation trouble at the bottom, only one point above Alton.

Beer took 6-33 as Bashley were skittled for 81 – a total St Cross polished off for the loss of three wickets to increase their lead over South Wilts at the top of the table to 19 points, with five 50-over ‘white ball’ matches remaining.

Aside from Saif Achakzai (24), Bashley offered little resistance after being put into bat on a damp Green Jackets ground surface, with their innings over in just 27 overs.

The other two highest scorers, Michael Porter and Will Tripcony, only reached 14 runs, while no one else scored more than eight.

It did not take St Cross long to complete the formalities, with Jack Bransgrove (33), Joe Lewis (24) and Harry Trussler (20) easing the Winchester club to victory inside 18 overs.