BASHLEY seamer Kevin Nash etched his name in the ECB Southern League’s hall of fame by celebrating his 400th wicket as they romped to a crushing 197-run victory over St Cross.

His magical moment came when he removed St Cross opener Tom Foyle to become only the sixth bowler to achieve the feat in the history of the competition.

It was also his first Premier Division wicket of the season – his four for 27 return ripping out the St Cross top order after Bashley had posted 312 for eight.

“I had been stuck on 399 wickets since the end of last season so it was a bit of a relief to reach that 400 milestone,” said Nash, who had been troubled by injury during the early part of the season.

A genuine one-club man, Nash, 41, has played for Bashley since he was a Brockenhurst College teenager, enjoying 13 separate five-wicket hauls.

Mitch Wilson (3-31) and Tom Barber (2-30) combined with Nash to dismiss St Cross for 115.

Earlier, Bashley had recovered from 60 for three with South Australia’s Patrick Page (60) and Tom Jacques (57) enjoying a fruitful partnership.

Chris Vaughan (36) enhanced matters before Wilson smacked a 39-ball 61, including two sixes and five fours to effectively bat St Cross out of the game.

Meanwhile, New Milton were skittled for just 42 having dismissed Fernhill visitors South Wilts for 97 in one of the lowest scoring Premier Division matches on record.

All 20 wickets fell for 139 runs with South Wilts emerging somewhat surprised 55-run victors.

South Wilts captain James Hibberd said: “It’s not easy for clubs without bundles of money to employ full-time groundsmen.

“I feel sorry for them, but I’m not going to slate them because nobody goes out to try to prepare a poor wicket.”

South Wilts have found it difficult all season putting totals on the board and took lunch at a desperate 82 for eight.

James Haggaty (4-17) and George Watts (2-18) off 16 overs sent five wickets tumbling for 14 runs and South Wilts to 48 for six.

They limped to 82 for eight but, significantly, Jack Mynott (32) was still at the crease and eked out precious runs either side of lunch to give South Wilts a fighting chance at 97 (Dan Loader 3-29).

New Milton’s impressive out-cricket caught the eye – nine of the 10 wickets were caught, with wicketkeeper Tom Arnold bagging five.

South Wilts did not need a second invitation, with Hampshire’s Ian Holland (4-11) and Hibberd reducing the Green & Golds to 17 for five.

The in-form Arnold got a virtually-unplayable delivery from Holland, which clean bowled him.

Only Lee Beck made it into double figures before Luke Evans (5-20) ploughed through the tail to produce his best Premier League figures – and reduced New Milton to their lowest total in the competition.