Bashley (Rydal) beat Hythe & Dibden by seven runs to retain the New Forest Cricket Association's Edmund de Rothschild Challenge Trophy.

In the final held at Langley Manor, Bashley reached 128-5 after Dave Lewis (34) shared in stands of 44 for the second wicket with Adam Loader (29), and 40 for the fourth wicket with Andy Neal (31).

Hythe were made to work for their runs, especially from Kevin Nash who returned with figures of 4-0-15-0. But they got a solid start from openers Kevin James (21) and Eugine Burzler (47) who put on 77 before they were both run out in consecutive overs.

In fading light, Rob James (17no) tried to increase the run rate and despite two well struck fours by Simon Wright in the last over, Hythe finished on 121-4.

The trophy was presented to Bashley skipper Shaun Lilley by Association president, Vic Loveless, with adjudicator Kevin Glue naming Andy Neal as man-of-the-match for his all-round performance.