HOOK and Newnham Basics go in search of their fifth straight British Gas Southern League Division 1 win when enigmatic Portsmouth visit King George V.
In a summer that’s mirrored last season, Hook lost their opening three games, but recent form has seen them move right into the promotion shake-up, as they are now second in the table, just above Basingstoke & North Hants.
Last weekend’s win at Rowledge came at a cost as talented all-rounder Jordan Hobday, left, was carried off with a serious knee injury and is now awaiting a scan to see the extent of the damage.
He is ruled out of this weekend’s clash, with Portsmouth, alongside middle order batter Matt Buckingham.
Back into the starting XI are Hook captain Ben Thane, back from a one match ban, and opening strike bowler Shane Brewer, who both missed the trip to Rowledge.
Thane said: “Last weekend was another good team performance and we did well to win with Tom Treble, their Australian, getting a century. The only downside was the injury to Jordan (Hobday), which is real shame as he has been playing so well.
He added: “We are playing well at moment, but no game is a given in this league and Portsmouth will be a stiff test, but we are quietly going about our business and want to make Hook a fortress.”
Hook & Newnham Basics: Thane, Love, J Robson, J Buckingham, N Willcock, Doran, Franklin, Brewer, Armstrong, Divecha, Poulter.
Twenty points clear, leaders Calmore Sports have bowling all-rounder Mike West back from racing duties for the visit of Rowledge to Loperwood Park. West has been on duty at Royal Ascot and comes in for Liam Newton.
Rowledge have improved recently winning two matches before Hook & Newnham Basics beat them. They host Mayfield (East Sussex) in the Village Cup on Sunday. But they have to make do without skipper Ben Wish and left-arm spinner George Keely at Calmore, where Ian Metcalfe will don the gauntlets.
Calmore Sports: Lavelle, Goodrich, Cook, Johns, Manning, Rutter, Proudley, Rose, West, Croft, Perry.
Rowledge: Morant, Gleave, J Wish, Lloyd, Treble, S Martin, M Martin, Neate, Yates snr, Randall, Metcalfe.
Sarisbury Athletic bid to move off the bottom with a testing trip to Liphook & Ripsley, while Ventnor go to Bournemouth.
Basingstoke & North Hants include teenager Max Harsham for Tichborne Park’s visit to May’s Bounty.
Basingstoke: Belcher, M Harsham, Stokes, Phillips, Neal, Griffiths, Metzger, Jolley, James, Thankachan, Connor.
In a summer that’s mirrored last season, Hook lost their opening three games, but recent form has seen them move right into the promotion shake-up, as they are now second in the table, just above Basingstoke & North Hants.
Last weekend’s win at Rowledge came at a cost as talented all-rounder Jordan Hobday, left, was carried off with a serious knee injury and is now awaiting a scan to see the extent of the damage.
He is ruled out of this weekend’s clash, with Portsmouth, alongside middle order batter Matt Buckingham.
Back into the starting XI are Hook captain Ben Thane, back from a one match ban, and opening strike bowler Shane Brewer, who both missed the trip to Rowledge.
Thane said: “Last weekend was another good team performance and we did well to win with Tom Treble, their Australian, getting a century. The only downside was the injury to Jordan (Hobday), which is real shame as he has been playing so well.
He added: “We are playing well at moment, but no game is a given in this league and Portsmouth will be a stiff test, but we are quietly going about our business and want to make Hook a fortress.”
Hook & Newnham Basics: Thane, Love, J Robson, J Buckingham, N Willcock, Doran, Franklin, Brewer, Armstrong, Divecha, Poulter.
Twenty points clear, leaders Calmore Sports have bowling all-rounder Mike West back from racing duties for the visit of Rowledge to Loperwood Park. West has been on duty at Royal Ascot and comes in for Liam Newton.
Rowledge have improved recently winning two matches before Hook & Newnham Basics beat them. They host Mayfield (East Sussex) in the Village Cup on Sunday. But they have to make do without skipper Ben Wish and left-arm spinner George Keely at Calmore, where Ian Metcalfe will don the gauntlets.
Calmore Sports: Lavelle, Goodrich, Cook, Johns, Manning, Rutter, Proudley, Rose, West, Croft, Perry.
Rowledge: Morant, Gleave, J Wish, Lloyd, Treble, S Martin, M Martin, Neate, Yates snr, Randall, Metcalfe.
Sarisbury Athletic bid to move off the bottom with a testing trip to Liphook & Ripsley, while Ventnor go to Bournemouth.
Basingstoke & North Hants include teenager Max Harsham for Tichborne Park’s visit to May’s Bounty.
Basingstoke: Belcher, M Harsham, Stokes, Phillips, Neal, Griffiths, Metzger, Jolley, James, Thankachan, Connor.
