SKIPPER Michael Porter was left to rue seeing Bashley lose wickets off consecutive balls when they were in a challenging position against Premier Division rivals Havant.

Slipping from a promising 166 for three to 166 for five effectively ended any prospect of them chasing down a formidable Havant total of 281 for five.

With skipper Porter (63) and Gavin Bailiff (36) picking up the thread from 77-3 and Havant’s spin attack beginning to crack, Bashley were in with a shout.

And although needing another 115 remained a big ask, it was one Porter fancied Bashley could manage.

“Gavin and I had enjoyed a big partnership against Lymington last week and were going well again, running hard, hitting the bad balls and pressurising the fielders,” he said.

“But after we had put on almost 90, Gavin was caught and, the very next ball, Simon Watkins was given run out without facing – the bowler deflecting my straight drive on to the stumps.

“That made it 166 for five, but then I got out (at 180 for six) when perhaps I ought to have gone on and won the match for us, so it wasn’t to be.”

Prior to that, Bashley had begun positively through Tom Gates (25) and Tom Jacques (31), but in the end they fell away from 180 for five and were 70 runs light, all out for 211.

Porter admitted that Bashley had to change their game plan directly Havant openers Ben Walker (64) and Pete Hopson (63) had shared a 131-run start.

Walker survived a confident stumping appeal by Chris Ridley at the mid-point of his innings – one of several umpiring decisions Bashley felt had gone against them during the match.

“Our game plan was to take early wickets, but once they had got over 100, it was clear we would have to do a containment job and try to restrict them as best we could,” Porter continued.

Stuart Ransley (46), Andy Gorvin (44) and Chris Stone (25) all scored freely as Havant went on to reach 281-5.

Porter added: “We could have been chasing 300 or more, so were relatively pleased to keep Havant down to that sort of total. I rate them as the best team in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Bournemouth suffered a 49-run defeat at the hands of Division One rivals Andover at London Road.

Scott Alexander (28) and James O’Gorman (48) gave Andover a solid platform before Robbie Pack (3-55) removed the pair and Glyn Treagus.

But Max Romar-Lee (30) and Matt Knight (21) chipped in as Andover totalled 179 with Jake Hurley chipping in with a couple of wickets (2-27).

Luke Matthews (52) was the only batsman to make a significant impact as Bournemouth fell short at 130.