BIG scores from Luca Wade and Nick Harding helped Hook and Newnham Basics III beat local rivals Hartley Wintney II by six wickets in a rain-affected Hampshire Cricket League Division Three North encounter.

Paul Westfoot made 65 and Andrew O’Kelly 55 as Hartley reached 245 in their innings, but a rain delay reduced Hook’s target to 193. Nick Harding hit 54 to set the visitors on the way to victory, while Luca Wade’s unbeaten 79 saw them over the line.

Overton’s home game against Redlynch and Hale and Whitchurch’s game against visiting Andover II were both rained off.

Hook’s second string also tasted victory, beating Bournemouth II by one wicket in Division One. Having dismissed their hosts for 219, Graham Buckingham made 66 in Hook’s successful reply, but they needed their final pair to hit the winning runs.

Old Basing and Basingstoke and North Hants III both suffered defeat in Division Two. Darren Bell made 66, but Basing were bowled out for 180 at Hayling Island, with the home side recording a seven-wicket win, while Basingstoke suffered defeat at home to Midhurst.

In Division Four North, AWE Tadley’s home game against Compton and Chandler’s Ford II and Hobos’ trip to Whiteparish were both rained off.