HOOK and Newnham Basics failed to dent Sarisbury Athletic’s Southern League Division One title push, but they did run them close only losing by two wickets.

The visitors having won the toss elected to bat and Keiran Thomson (48), Matt Buckingham (38), Matt Love (35) and Richard Willock (30) all helped Hook to 206-9.

It proved to just not enough as the home side reached 210-8 with six balls to spare with Spencer Champ (4-45) the stand-out bowler for the visitors.

The defeat still leaves Hook in mid-table and next weekend they are on a revenge mission as they entertain Hambledon.

The Meon Valley side beat then by six wickets earlier in the season.