Rishi stars as Bristol ease to victory over Basingstoke

RISHI Panchal captured 7-32 and followed up by top-scoring on 39 as Bristol eased past Basingstoke & North Hants by three wickets to make progress in the ECB National Club Championship.

- Steve HILL

The WEPL side, who won the toss on the road, were on the back foot as the Hampshire club reached 106-1 in the 22nd over.

But Panchal broke the deadlock and then sparked a collapse from 183-4 to 198 all out with a fine seven-over spell, with former Keynsham all-rounder Jake Carstens also capturing 2-26 with his off-spin.

Panchal and Shazil Mustafa (38) gave Bristol a useful start with an opening stand of 79 and, although the visitors then slipped to 89-4, Jack Ellison (33) and George Harris (25 no) steadied the ship as victory was clinched with a ball to spare.

Bristol will now be away to St Cross Symondians who cruised past Royal Wootton Bassett by 172 runs.