BASINGSTOKE and North Hants’ Southern League Division One promotion hopes were dealt a bitter blow as they lost by six wickets at their north Hampshire rivals Andover.

The visitors won the toss and decided to bat and never really got going as they were bowled out for 128 in the space of 40 overs.

Darron Augustus (3-33) and David Taylor (4-18) did most of the damage as the top five batsman only managed to score 39 between them.

Not the first time this season Mitch Stokes was the top scorer batting at number six with 38 which came off 47 balls and included three fours.

Extras was the next best score with 20, as the Bountymen found life really tough in Andover.

The home side lost early wickets thanks to Graham Porter (2-33), but opener Will Arnold with a superb unbeaten 73, which saw him hit the boundary rope 14 times and quick fire 34 from Taylor ensured the home side took just 29 overs to win the game with loss of just four wickets.

Basingstoke now have a must-win game on Saturday when they travel to second placed Hook and Newnham Basics.

SCORECARD

Andover v Basingstoke and North Hants

Basingstoke

C Froud lbw b Taylor 8
R Vinn c Knight b Darron Augustus 8
S Bucksey c Taylor b Dylan Augustus 11
M James c Foy b Taylor 3
C Williamson c Knight b Taylor 9
M Stokes b Adams 38
C Oliver c Knight b Taylor 7
M Thankachan c Hooper b Foy 8
C Chandler c Taylor b Darron Augustus 5
L Benge b Darron Augustus 5
G Porter not out 6
Extras 20

Total (40 overs) 128

Fall: 1-18, 2-32, 3-37, 4-38, 5-59, 6-73, 7-109, 8-109, 9-117.

Bowling: Darron Augustus 8-0-33-3, Dylan Austustus 10-1-23-1, D Taylor 10-3-18-4, M Adams 7-1-32-1, D Foy 5-1-19-1.

Andover

G Treagus b Porter 14
W Arnold not out 73
Darron Augustus c Benge b Porter 0
D Taylor c Oliver b Stokes 34
M Souter lbw b Thankachan 6
M Roberts not out 0
Extras 3

Total (29 overs, 4 wkts) 130

Fall: 1-28, 2-32, 3-110, 4-117.

Bowling: M James 5-1-15-0, G Porter 7-0-33-2, C Chandler 5-0-26-0, M Stokes 7-0-34-1, M Thankachan 5-1-22-1.

Result: Andover won by six wickets