BASHLEY’S grounds team are battling to get their award-winning venue fit for tomorrow’s Southern Premier League clash with St Cross (12.30pm).

A torrential storm in the New Forest on Monday evening completely flooded the whole playing area.

Chairman John Neal said: “It was a storm of biblical proportions which hit the entire New Forest area. The outfield was flooded in a matter of minutes creating an amazing sight.

“It just goes to show what groundsmen have to deal with. My sympathies go out to all of them in the league.”

Bashley are set to make one enforced change with Dan Andrew taking over the wicket-keeping gloves from Aston Villa fan Chris Ridley, who is Wembley-bound for the Championship play-off final.

Hampshire all-rounder Ian Holland has been included in the St Cross squad, which is without Billy Mead. Matt Stokes is due back for the visitors.

Bashley: Andrew, Digby, Taylor, Porter, Morris, Jacques, Holly, Wilson, Thomson, Goodey, Currie.

St Cross Symondians: T Foyle, Stokes, Came, Ellis, Young, H Foyle, Bransgrove, Lunn, Ayres, Mitchell, Holland.