BAT Sports bounced back from their Portsmouth nightmare to rack up 266-3 against Bashley-Rydal at Southern Gardens.

But they only just managed to hang on after Bashley hit back to finish only ten runs behind at 256 all out.

BAT's success was, however, tempered by the continuation of Neal Parlane's run draught. The prolific New Zealander, who smashed Robin Smith's long standing Southern League run record last season, was bowled out by Kevin Nash for only two in the second over.

He has managed to score just three runs in his last three innings.

Richard Kenway (79) and David Banks (32) redressed matters but BAT really put their foot on the acceleration peddle in the 15 overs immediately before tea.

Adam Sharp, who cracked 75 not out of 49 balls and Graham Noble, with 60, hit 111 in the last hour as BAT's total rocketed to 266-3.

"Again we didn't field particularly well and gave them 20 more runs than they should have scored," said Bashley captain Matt King.

BAT kept the Bashley scoring under control for a while, but the Western Australian Shawn Gillies upped the tempo with a boundary-strewn 62.

Andy Sexton (27) and Richard Knowles (26) pushed the score along, but Bashley still needed an improbable 95 off the last ten overs.

Ben Nolan-Stone, however, cracked 51 off 39 balls and then Matt King smashed a six and three boundaries to keep victory hopes alive.

The visitors went into the final over still needing 11 to win with their last pair of the wicket but King hit the first ball of David Banks' over to deep cover and was caught with Bashley 256 all out.