BASINGSTOKE and North Hants second XI were the only side to beat the weather and record a victory in whole of the Southern League on Saturday.

The Bountymen enjoyed 28–run success in Division Three at Portsmouth and Southsea, who included ex-Hampshire and current Kent man David Griffiths in their side.

The home side won the toss and elected to bowl and Griffiths picked up the opening wicket of Lee Nurse, but this was his only wicket as he finished with figures of 1-36 from his nine overs which included no less than 13 no balls.

On a tough wicket, Basingstoke struck around with opener Richard Vinn (33) holding together the top order, while Patrick Joseph on his debut hit 34 off 48 balls which included the only six of the innings.

By the end of their 50 overs they went had reached 150-6.

Thanks to Jon Bradley (3-27) the home reply did not get off to a good start with the top three back in the pavilion with only 33 on the board.

Top scorer Matthew Benfold (38) and Griffiths (11) added 38 for the fourth wicket, but after this the home side slumped from 93-5 to 122 all out, as Joseph (2-15), Keith Harris (2-25) and Rakitha Perera (2-12) did the damage.

Meanwhile in Division Two, Hartley Wintney had visiting Rowledge 85-5, before the rain came.

Near neighbours Hook and Newnham Basics managed to get started this week in Division One and had visiting Salisbury reeling early on at 28-3, thanks to debut man Spencer Champ (1-42) and Shane Brewer (2-36).

Peter Hammond (73) and David Banks (62) staged a recovery and when rain stopped play the visitors were 217-6 from 48 overs with another new boy Keiran Thomson (2-33) and Jordan Hobday (1-19) taking the other wickets.