BASINGSTOKE and North Hants gained sweet revenge for their defeat earlier in the Southern League Division One season, as they beat OTs and Romsey by two wickets at May’s Bounty.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and it looked a good move as openers Richard Lake (41) and Charlie King (57) helped them to 63 before the loss of their first wicket.

They were parted thanks to the introduction of spin king Matt Thankachan (3-23), but Romsey carried on building what looked set to be a good score, but then slumped from 162-3 to 186 all out, as Mitch Stokes (3-31) and Ryan Connor (3-31) did the damage.

Paul Newman was the first to go after a quick fire 19 from 14 balls and then two runs later King was fifth man out.

From then on no one got into double figures and it was left to Thankachan to complete the job.

Basingstoke’s reply got off to a good start with a 50 stand between Dan Belcher (16) and Craig Williamson (56).

This brought skipper Stokes to the centre and along with Williamson, they added 81 for the second wicket taking the score to 131.

Stokes, who scored 55 from 39 balls, which included five fours and three sixes, was then caught out.

Williamson was then bowled without a run being added to the total, to end his excellent 86 balls innings which saw him hit 10 fours.

Will Phillips (10) on his Basingstoke debut and Max Harsham (8) moved the score to 149, before both being dismissed in quick succession.

Further wickets fell as the home side reached 166-7, but experienced campaigners Martyn James (16) and Thankachan (12 not out) got them to within touching distance of the finishing line, as James departed with the score on 186.

It was left to Thankachan to score the winning runs, as Basingstoke got home with seven overs to spare.

Next weekend, they are on their travels to new leaders Andover.