SOUTHERN League Division Two leaders Basingstoke and North Hants face bottom side Tichborne Park as they continue their quest for the promotion on Saturday.

The Bountymen last weekend had their chances of victory dashed when rain caused their game at May’s Bounty against Langley Manor to be abandoned.

The home side were looking to make it 11 wins on the trot and travel to face a Tichbourne side who have won three of their last five games to give themselves hope of avoiding relegation – this after they lost their opening eight games.

One of those defeats was against Basingstoke at May’s Bounty when they were bowled out for 126 as spin twins Dave Pistorius (3-26) and Matt Thankachan (3-5) wiped out the lower order.

From there the Bountymen cruised to a seven-wicket success with 23 overs to spare.

Basingstoke will make one change to the line-up that faced Langley Manor last weekend. Graham Porter is unavailable, so George Chaffer returns to the team.

Looking forward to the trip, Coombs said: “This is the first of two away games on the trot and we were disappointed not to win last week as we were in a strong position.

“Tichbourne are trying to move out of the relegation area so it will not be an easy game, but we have to stay focussed on our own game.”

Basingstoke second XI face a tough task this Saturday, when Division Three leaders Portsmouth are the visitors to May’s Bounty.

They lost the reverse fixture in Pompey by 45 runs in early June.

The second XI last week lost on run rate at St Cross Symondians II, but picked up nine points so it did not affect their average too much.