Away-day specialists Hook & Newnham Basics won by 82 runs at May’s Bounty to leave Basingstoke & North Hants floundering third from the bottom of Southern Premier League Division 1.
With teenage opener Kieran Thomson (57) gluing the top order together and Nick Willcock smashing an unbeaten 70 immediately before tea, Hook posted a formidable 199-8 – a total Basingstoke’s run shy batsmen go no where near.
As expected Basingstoke’s opening bowlers Martyn James (1-23) and Graham Porter (0-29) kept things tight early on as Hook reached 21-1 (Jordan Hobday lbw 12) at the first of two afternoon rain breaks.
The introduction of the seasoned Ryan Connor (3-22) saw more Hook wickets fall, as he send back Matt Buckingham (9), Matt Love, for a duck after facing 16 balls, and Rich Willcock (3).
Thomson (57) continued to bat well at the other end, until he was fifth man out as Australian Ben Julin took a wicket in a brief two over spell.
The opener's innings of 101 balls stay at the centre saw him hit nine fours and one straight six off Connor’s final ball.
Nick Willcock and Josh Buckingham took up the mantle and they added 30 runs for sixth wicket, before a direct hit from Stokes saw Buckingham run out for 15.
It was left to Willcock (70 not out) to keep the scoreboard ticking in the last 10 overs.
In the final over bowled by Brad Neal, he hit 26 runs including three straight sixes, which helped Hook to 199-8.
Basingstoke's reply got off to the worst possible start, as first ball Richard Vinn was trapped leg before by Shane Brewer (2-19), who then sent fellow opener Craig Williamson (1) packing in an identical manner.
It soon became 17-3 after Hobday (2-22) removed Julin (4), the third leg before victim.
Dan Belcher (26) and Mitch Stokes (21) looked to have got the Bountymen back on track as the pair moved the total past 50.
However, both players departed with score on 54, thanks to Kevin Poulter (1-22) and Thomson (2-8).
Wily left-armer Poulter really put the brakes on the innings bowling five maidens in his 10 over spell.
Young pair Max Harsham (24) and top scorer Brad Neal (32) patiently added nearly 50 for the sixth wicket.
The pair were then parted by the returning Thomson as he rearranged the stumps of Harsham, pictured, with his first ball back.
Thomson then removed top scorer Neal and the innings ended without another run being added as Connor went for what looked like a certain single, but was run out.
With teenage opener Kieran Thomson (57) gluing the top order together and Nick Willcock smashing an unbeaten 70 immediately before tea, Hook posted a formidable 199-8 – a total Basingstoke’s run shy batsmen go no where near.
As expected Basingstoke’s opening bowlers Martyn James (1-23) and Graham Porter (0-29) kept things tight early on as Hook reached 21-1 (Jordan Hobday lbw 12) at the first of two afternoon rain breaks.
The introduction of the seasoned Ryan Connor (3-22) saw more Hook wickets fall, as he send back Matt Buckingham (9), Matt Love, for a duck after facing 16 balls, and Rich Willcock (3).
Thomson (57) continued to bat well at the other end, until he was fifth man out as Australian Ben Julin took a wicket in a brief two over spell.
The opener's innings of 101 balls stay at the centre saw him hit nine fours and one straight six off Connor’s final ball.
Nick Willcock and Josh Buckingham took up the mantle and they added 30 runs for sixth wicket, before a direct hit from Stokes saw Buckingham run out for 15.
It was left to Willcock (70 not out) to keep the scoreboard ticking in the last 10 overs.
In the final over bowled by Brad Neal, he hit 26 runs including three straight sixes, which helped Hook to 199-8.
Basingstoke's reply got off to the worst possible start, as first ball Richard Vinn was trapped leg before by Shane Brewer (2-19), who then sent fellow opener Craig Williamson (1) packing in an identical manner.
It soon became 17-3 after Hobday (2-22) removed Julin (4), the third leg before victim.
Dan Belcher (26) and Mitch Stokes (21) looked to have got the Bountymen back on track as the pair moved the total past 50.
However, both players departed with score on 54, thanks to Kevin Poulter (1-22) and Thomson (2-8).
Wily left-armer Poulter really put the brakes on the innings bowling five maidens in his 10 over spell.
Young pair Max Harsham (24) and top scorer Brad Neal (32) patiently added nearly 50 for the sixth wicket.
The pair were then parted by the returning Thomson as he rearranged the stumps of Harsham, pictured, with his first ball back.
Thomson then removed top scorer Neal and the innings ended without another run being added as Connor went for what looked like a certain single, but was run out.