SKIPPER Andy Neal admitted Bashley were “quietly confident” after they climbed to third with a thumping time pennant victory.

The New Forest outfit are sitting pretty in the Southern Electric Premier League Division One following a resounding eight-wicket win over basement boys Alton on Saturday.

Neal was delighted after his side closed in on top two Bournemouth and Hampshire Academy with their second consecutive success.

The captain himself played a key role, claiming three wickets as Bash seized control by dismissing Alton for just 142.

And he confessed that losing the toss proved to be a blessing in disguise.

“We lost the toss which I was quite happy about because I didn’t have a clue what to do,” he joked.

“They got off to a reasonable start but we just plugged away and got wickets at important times. Everyone bowled well.”

As well as Neal’s haul, Kevin Nash and Andy Sexton took two wickets apiece to set up a straightforward victory target.

Opening pair Sexton (59) and Neil Thurgood (48) then made short work of the reply.

Neal added: “We are quietly confident. If we can push on and get a win next week, we’ll be really confident.

“It’s going well and there is a real buzz in the changing room.”

• Bashley have plenty of work to do if they are to catch leaders Bournemouth, though, after the in-form Chapel Gate outfit claimed 15 points in a winning draw against Totton and Eling.

Matt Metcalfe (4-76) was the pick of the Bournemouth bowlers as the visitors were restricted to 227 for nine (David Banks 86, Owamir Afzal 52).

The Dorset bowler then hit an unbeaten 31 as Craig de Weymarn’s side finished on 206 for eight.

Overseas star Chris Cooke top-scored with 57 as the title contenders recovered from 21 for three.

• Lymington’s big guns Morgan Rushbrook (60) and Glyn Treagus (81*) produced fine knocks to earn a draw against South Wilts.

James Hayward (112) was in fine form for South Wilts in their 286 for seven declared, with Rushbrook (3-51), Simon Beetham (2-77) and Wahid Khan (2-76) among the wickets.

But skipper Rushbrook, in his first season as captain, ensured nine points for Lymo, with the help of Dorset batsman Treagus, after the hosts had been reduced to 40 for three.

• See tomorrow’s Echo for reports of the Division Two matches involving local sides. Both New Milton and Bournemouth seconds recorded victories.