BASINGSTOKE and North Hants’ game at Liphook and Ripsley was abandoned after 71 overs, as the rain finally won the day.

Basingstoke batted first and after the early loss of Dan Belcher (7), fellow opener Craig Williamson (23) and Richard Vinn (16) added 48 for the second wicket.

The Bountymen continued to find scoring runs tough and slide from 105-3 to 106-6 as Ben Julin (14) Will Phillips (23) and Mitch Stokes with a golden duck were all out.

However, the visitors batted all the way to the final over of their innings, as Martyn James (19) and George Metzger (10) added valuable runs as they were all out for 157.

Charles Janczur (3-23) and Sean Burton (3-46) were the pick of the home bowlers.

The Liphook reply got off to the worst possible start, as Stokes (2-17) struck early on dismissing Rob Nickel (1) and Giles Cover (0) to leave them 11-2.

Gabriel Broadhurst (12) did not last much longer before being caught and bowled by Martyn James (1-34) making it 22-3 Liphook’s best player Suman Ganguly (42 not out from 41 balls) then took centre stage as along with Harry Munt (14) they added 46 for the fourth wicket.

However, with the score on 81-4 from 21 overs the game was abandoned.

Basingstoke are at home to Bournemouth this weekend, before they face an away trip to Hook and Newnham Basics on the final day of the season.

Basingstoke’s second XI game at May’s Bounty lasted just 15 overs after heavy rain ended Basingstoke and Gosport Borough’s Division Three clash.

The Bountymen had reached 64-3, with skipper Chris Chandler batting up the order at number three unbeaten on 30. Conor Regan (3-27) took all of the Basingstoke wickets.

The second team have two games left to keep their promotion dreams alive, with a trip to Hursley Park, before they entertain league leaders Langley Manor on the last day of the season.