The New Forest derby between Lymington and Bashley (Rydal) petered out in a tame draw after close on 500 runs were scored for the loss of only ten wickets on a batsman friendly Sports Ground surface.

Bashley’s 324-5 in one ball short of 64 overs was never within Lymington’s reach and visiting skipper Richard Morris may reflect on his decision to not declare much earlier and give his bowlers more than 57 overs.

It allowed Lymington, 114-2 at one stage, to comfortably hold out for a draw – though the meagre five-point haul does little for their worrying predicament at the bottom of the Premier Division ladder.

Though the game ended in a stalemate there were two eye-catching individual batting performances.

Michael Porter, opening for Bashley (Rydal), struck a sublime 80 only to hole out at mid-wicket shortly before lunch with a maiden Premier League century in sight.

Later, 17-year-old Lymington talent Felix Ambrose underlined his talent with an equally good 63, scored in an attractive third-wicket stand with Australian youngster Damien Mortimer.

The day belonged to the batsmen, with Porter and Nick Baker (34) sharing a 108-run start for Bashley, who had been put into bat.

Porter went on to hit a straight six and 13 other fours, with a century looking the meal deal until, with his lunch on the table, he picked out Ambrose to give Paul McCann (2-51) his second victim.

Operating with six seamers, Lymington continued to toil in the field after lunch, with the Morris brothers Richard – with three sixes in his 58 – and debutant James (68 not out) adding another 105.

Some lusty blows by Western Australia left-hand prospect Jaron Morgan, who hit three big blows in a quick-fire 28, sent the total soaring to 324-5 before Morris declared.

With Darren Cowley (hamstring injury) absent, Lymington bowled 60 overs of seam – and took close on a protracted 4 hours 30 minutes to do so. When Bashley eventually declared at 4.10pm, there was every likelihood the street lamps in the nearby Lymington town centre would be glowing before stumps were drawn.

Lymington hadn’t scored more than 225 in an innings all season and they quickly lost Dom Hand (0) and Ryan Scott (4).

But Mortimer scored a well organised 57 during his fruitful partnership with Ambrose.

But it was the talented Canford schoolboy who looked the real deal.

Punching shots all around the wicket with some power, he reached his maiden SPL half-century before being deceived in the flight by Sam Thomson (2-53) and departing for a crisp 63.

That, sadly, was where the entertainment ended. Lymington were happy to play out time and closed at 158-5 after 57 overs.