Basingstoke & North Hants (182 all out) lost to Compton & CF (194 for 6) by 12 runs

AN INSPIRED spell of pace bowling from 15-year-old Pasha helped Compton & Chandlers Ford enjoy the better of a closely fought match against Basingstoke & North Hants at Mays Bounty.

Batting first, Compton found the going tough and were indebted to Lee Wateridge, who held the innings together while wickets fell around him.

Wateridge maintained a resolute defence but didn't miss out on too many scoring opportunities as he grabbed the bulk of the early runs.

When the jet-lagged Patrick Pritchard joined Wateridge the visitors had struggled to 105 for 4 with just 12 overs left, but from there on both batsmen took the attack to the bowling.

Pritchard launched an array of shots to profit from Wateridge's hard work as the pair shared a rapid half-century stand.

Wateridge looked destined to make his maiden century for the club, but was unselfishly out for 89 trying to force the pace in the final few overs.

Pritchard made full use of the final overs to move onto 61no and ensure a competitive total of 194 for 6.

The home side went about their task in determined fashion, and after a careful start were well up with the clock at 95 without loss.

A smart stumping by Wateridge helped Martin Dearlove make the first breakthrough, and Pritchard then struck at the other end.

Pritchard rotated his bowlers well to keep his side in the game, but with the score advancing to 161 for 4 off 40 the odds were in the home side's favour.

Dearlove then held on to a difficult catch in the deep to open up one end, which gave teenage paceman Pasha one last chance to turn the game in Compton's favour.

He roared in, giving it his all, and with his next three balls ripped out the Basingstoke middle order, achieving a superb hat-trick - all clean bowled.

Having lost four wickets in four balls the task was beyond the remaining batsmen as Compton completed an 11 run victory.

With his hat-trick, Pasha became the youngest C&CF bowler to achieve such a feat in senior cricket, thereby confirming his outstanding progress this season.