Former Hampshire seam bowler Richard Logan led a rearguard action as St Cross Symondians had to bat out the last ten overs of the day to force a draw against Bashley (Rydal) in the opening ECB Southern Electric Premier Division ‘Time’ pennant match at the Green Jackets Ground.

Logan, who developed into a decent middle-order batsmen in his time at Chichester Priory Park, thwarted Bashley with an undefeated 88 as St Cross held on at 174-8 in response to the visitors’ 240 all out.

“Missing three top order batsmen means two of our lads had to make 50-plus scores, but only Logs (Richard Logan) was able to do so, but we hung on at the end, with 17-year old Harry Foyle doing his bit,” reflected St Cross skipper Matt Perry-Lewis.

Neil Thurgood dropped anchor, batting 162 balls for his four-boundary 73, but his innings underpinned the Bashley total.

Skipper Richard Morris, with a six and 12 fours in a sprightly 81, and Simon Ridley, with 35 not out, put Bashley in the driving seat, while Jordan Finney (4-45) bowled nicely for the hosts.

Early setbacks St Cross suffered early setbacks, leaving Logan to fight their corner.

Only New Zealander Billy Walsh (28) and Finney (27) offered much support as Kevin Nash, recuperated after missing the ECB national club championship defeat at Totton & Eling, weighed in with 5-54.

When St Cross dropped to 153-8, the end appeared nigh.

But Logan, whose Premier Division best contained 12 boundaries, found a reliable partner in Foyle, who emerged with a broad grin on his face after facing six overs of pressure without scoring a run.

Morris said: “It was just a much better performance all round. “St Cross are a good side but we controlled the game throughout. “The bowlers did well on what was a pretty flat wicket, particularly Kevin Nash, and it was especially pleasing after losing Sean Terry so early for people to step up and show a bit of fight. “Richard Logan batted pretty well – he chose the right balls to attack and the right ones to defend and it was a good wicket for batsmen to stand their ground on.

“It is just a shame we couldn’t quite take the half chances we had to win the game after playing so well.” On his own display, Morris added: “I had a bit of luck earlier in the innings – I got dropped twice before I had even made ten and, funnily enough, they were both dropped by the same bloke. “They were quite straight forward too, but it was the stroke of luck we needed to turn the corner. “Things hadn’t quite been going my way with the bat and, with the way we started, it was important for me to get some runs.”

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