BRAGGING rights are up for grabs as north Hampshire rivals Basingstoke and North Hants clash with Hook and Newnham Basics for the first time this season.
The game at May's Bounty on Saturday, will see both sides looking to try and get themselves into the Southern League Division One promotion shake-up.
The Bountymen are unbeaten at home this season, but slipped to fifth in the table, following last weekend’s loss at Bournemouth, while Hook are eighth after their trip last week to Totton was washed out, but both their victories this season have come on the road.
Hook won both games last season over Basingstoke and the Bountymen did the double the year before.
Basingstoke will make three changes to the side which lost at Bournemouth with Richard Vinn, Craig Williamson and Ash Neal all coming for Dean Nurse, Lawrence Benge and Chris Froud.
Bountymen captain Stokes said: “We always enjoy playing Hook and I expect it to be a good game as both side’s form is up and down this season.
Hook skipper Love said: “Spending most of the summer going up and down the M3 it is always nice to have an away game just down the road. We know all the players, so there is always a friendly rivalry between the teams. It is an important game for both sides with the way the league is this season.”
On Sunday (3pm) both sides are in T20 action, Hook are away to Bashley in the second round of the Cup competition and Basingstoke host Paultons in the first round Plate game.
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