Match report: Heroic middle and late-order batsmen restore Bashley (Rydal) CC (254) innings but Burridge CC (250-8) hold on to seal Southern Premier Cricket League (SPCL) Premier Division draw

Bashley (Rydal) lost ground at the top of the table after a frustrating afternoon against Burridge, who dug in to see out the match and snatch a draw at the Bashley Cricket Ground on Saturday.

An unbeaten 62 runs from George Wilson led the way for Bashley, with the recently returned captain Michael Porter’s half-century, while with the ball, Dan Goodey (3-62) and Jacob Gordon (3-78) delivered three wickets.

The hosts won the toss, and Porter elected to bat. After a scoreless first over, Burridge’s Oliver Southon (5-90) took the ball and dismissed Ethan Baker (0) with his second delivery.

Will Tripcony (28) and Jack Stearman (15) combined to add 29 runs to the tally before their partnership ended, with further quick wickets of James Trodd (9) and Jacob Gordon (0) and then Tripcony left the hosts reeling at 54-5.

With the writing seemingly on the wall, the Bashley middle-order, led by skipper Porter (50), with seven fours, set about restoring the innings.

With Louis Clayton (22), Dan Goodey (35) and finally George Wilson (62 not out), they lifted the total to 197-8.

The heroic efforts did not end there; Wilson added another 35 runs to his score, while last-man Jacob Stevenson fired off 19 runs off 29 balls before losing his wicket with the score at a healthy 254.

The wickets came from Goodey, Gordon and Porter (2-17), but the stubborn Burridge side inched their way closer and closer to the target.

With three wickets in the final two overs, Bashley did all they could, but the visitors saw out the match to seal a losing draw.

Bashley (Rydal) will take on Basingstoke & North Hants away from home at May’s Bounty on Saturday at 11am.