BASINGSTOKE and North Hampshire have continued their winning streak, taking an eight wicket victory over opponents Sarisbury Athletic I.

Basingstoke visited Sarisbury away for a win that cements them as being in the lead of the Southern League Division One, and continues a so far unbroken streak of victories.

The Bountymen only had 64 runs to beat in fewer than 30 overs, as Sarisbury’s batters went down one by one, with some superb bowling from Martyn James and David Griffiths seeing each take four wickets.

Captain Mitch Stokes said: “We weren’t expecting such a good result, it’s really encouraging to do so well.

“Martyn and David were doing some great bowling, and it really did some early damage.

From there, we could keep up the pressure on them and there was no comeback. Catches win matches and George [Metzger] was certainly providing them, catching three over the course of the game.”

Among the achievements of the victorious side was David Griffiths getting out both Sarisbury’s Jordan Wright and Jason Allmark in five balls, with Jason’s wicket being claimed after just one throw, sending him out for a duck.

Basingstoke’s batters put in the necessary work to finish off the Sarisbury side, including high scoring from skipper Mitch Stokes, who made up 29 of the 68 runs that won Basingstoke the game, before being run out over a ‘schoolboy error.’ “It was a silly mistake, and I thought I was in when it turns out I wasn’t,” Stokes explained.

“Joe Oates did well though, staying in, which is just what we needed him to do to get the final runs to finish the game.”

Daniel Belcher managed to knock the ball over the boundary once for four in his one over time batting, and skipper Mitch Stokes took 29 runs before being run out. Joe Oates (19) and William Phillips (6) polished off Basingstoke’s win before tea-time.

Basingstoke are due to face Liphook at home next weekend, with the aim of continuing their so far unbeaten run of wins.

Stokes said: “Liphook are a good side, and it won’t be an easy game. We will have to go at them hard from the first ball and use the momentum that we have from this game to try to keep our winning streak alive.”