BASINGSTOKE and North Hants will look to continue their excellent start to the season, when they face Calmore Sports at home on Saturday, before a tough trip to Havant the following day.

The Bountymen opened their Southern League Division One campaign with a very impressive 153-run victory over visiting Ventnor last weekend.

Now they face last season’s Division Two champions Calmore, who opened their campaign with victory over Hook and Newnham Basics.

The home side will make just one change to their line-up with Scott Dyer unavailable, so Chris Oliver comes in after a an excellent knock for the second team.

Skipper Mitch Stokes said: “We are playing well at the moment and I would like to bat first and put a good score on the board as I feel with our bowling attack we can put pressure on any batting line-up.”

On Sunday, Basingstoke travel to Havant for a Club Championship second round tie and are hoping to take a strong side.

Stokes said: “Havant are a Premier side and it will prove a big test for us, but these are the sides we want to be playing next year. So I hope we can put up a good account of ourselves.”

Last weekend, the Bountymen never looked back as they cruised to an opening day victory at May's Bounty.

Openers Dan Belcher (86) and Joe Oates (35) made an excellent start as they hammered 87 off the first 10 overs on the way to a 120 first wicket stand.

The runs continued to flow and in the final 10 overs of the innings, Dean Nurse now took up the mantle for the home side.

He smashed an unbeaten 62 as Basingstoke finished with a very impressive total of 307-7.

Ventnor’s reply started well enough with 44 in the first 10 overs, but after this wickets started to fall and in the end they were bowled out for 154.

Martyn James (2-39) and Mitch Stokes (2-21) struck early on.

Spin king Matt Thankachan (2-30) and Will Phillips (3-14) from 18 balls including a wicket with his first ball did the damage later.