Bashley look to knock Havant off title scent again

Can Bashley (Rydal) make lightening strike again and knock title holders Havant off the ECB Southern Electric Premier League championship scent?

That's the poser on the eve of a potentially key Premier Division 1 affair at Havant Park (1pm), from which the early season leaders could emerge.

The pair both won their opening games - unchanged Havant by two wickets at Andover, and Bashley by a comfortable 52-run margin against Calmore Sports.

But Bashley, who bring back Chris Sketchley for tomorrow's 50-over contest, have the Indian sign over the reigning champions.

"We won there by six wickets last season and almost beat them in an all-day game at the BCG, so we've every reason to fancy our chances," says Bashley skipper Matt King.

"Luke Ronchi may have gone, but with Brad Thompson coming in and Ben Nolan-Stone returning to the fold, we've probably got a better and deeper balance this year.

"We bat all the way and have eight bowling options, which can't be bad." The Havant-Bashley affair is one of three key matches in tomorrow's second round of games.

Twice runners-up in the past three seasons, BAT Sports face in-form Portsmouth at Southern Gardens, with South Wilts entertaining Bournemouth at Lower Bemerton.

Frustrated by a waterlogged pitch at Chapel Gate last week, BAT are anxious to make a positive start against a much strengthened Portsmouth side which has already begun the season in style.

Lee Savident's side crushed Liphook & Ripsley by 129 runs in its opening game and then hammered Chichester Priory Park by 142 runs in the ECB Club Championship.

BAT were not planning to finalise their side until after last night's practice session, but it is expected they will be at full strength, with New Zealander Neal Parlane making a rain-delayed debut.

Hampshire's Lawrie Prittipaul, who hit a century in that Liphook victory, will spearhead Portsmouth's challenge, with South African Andrew Locke another key player in the visitors line up.

Neither South Wilts nor Bournemouth played last weekend - the Salisbury club being washed out at the Rose Bowl, and Bournemouth marooned in the Chapel Gate water.

Top run getter Russell Rowe, who was due to miss the Academy match, plays in a full strength South Wilts line up against Bournemouth, who are captained by Richard Scott.

Dorset's Matt Swarbrick is a notable absentee for Bournemouth, who give along awaited league debut to Western Australia all-rounder Adam Voges.

Matt Metcalfe will find himself in the strange surroundings of the visitors changing rooms at Loperwood Park, when he dons the Hampshire Academy colours against Calmore Sports.

A promising new ball bowler, Metcalfe was signed up by the Academy in the winter and will make his debut against his old Calmore team-mates, who are desperate to get last week's 52-run defeat by Bashley out of their systems.

Andover skipper Roger Miller is planning to unveil an as yet unnamed overseas signing against Liphook & Ripsley at Ripsley Park.

"All I'm prepared to say at this stage is that he's an Indian, who's looked very useful indeed in the nets.

"Watch this space," Miller grinned.