YATELEY retained the Finch Group Guy Jewell Cup after they cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Basingstoke and North Hants CC at May’s Bounty on Sunday.

The visitors were better in every department and looked really sharp in the field as they took a number of excellent catches to limit the home side to 132-9 from their 20 overs.

Opener Mitch Stokes was the only man who got to grips with the Yateley bowlers as he top-scored with 41.

Only Steve Bucksey (14) and Lewis Benge (13) really troubled the scorers as Sadagopan Kumar, Jacques Pienaar and Stuart Lipo all took two wickets each.

Basingstoke needed early wickets, but openers James Halson (30) and Jonny Dow (50) put on 64 for the first wicket by the end of the ninth over.

Halson perished when he was caught by Martyn James off Stokes’ second ball of the contest.

The introduction of Dan King saw him take a wicket with his second ball, as Dow, who won the Rita Thompson Memorial Cup for the man-of-the-match, was caught in the deep by Stokes.

Despite losing a couple of wickets, Yateley cruised over the finish line, with Ryan Bone finishing unbeaten on 38.

It took his total in the competition to 180 without once surrendering his wicket and saw him win the Mary Jewell Cup as the best batsman in the competition.

The bowling award went to Odiham and Greywell’s Tom Wilshire for his 7-45. Basingstoke captain Dan Coombs was humble in defeat and said: “We did not get enough runs as they fielded and bowled well. Then once they got above the run rate there was no stopping them.”

Earlier in the day, a superb unbeaten 79 from Oakley opener Adam Robinson steered them to a seven-wicket Finch Group Guy Jewell Plate victory over Ramsdell.

Robinson’s fine innings included nine fours and two sixes as Oakley chased down Ramsdell’s 120 with four overs to spare.

Robinson and Tim Holbrook (25) shared an unbroken 61-run fourth wicket stand to bring their side home.

Ramsdell ealier scored 120-7 with Josh Holland (24) and Dave Monger (20) their top scorers.

Oakley’s Neil Robinson and Clive Welsman claimed two wickets each.

Organiser Cyril Thompson was unable to attend the final as he was unwell.

It was the first finals day he has missed since the competition started 62 years ago.

His involvement with the cup since the start, first as a scorer and then as organiser, has seen him honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Hampshire Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards.

It is hoped 84-year-old Thompson will be well enough to travel to Lord’s for the national OSCA awards on October 6, as he has been shortlisted for a national award.