THE Bountymen suffered a six-wicket defeat to the hands of Hampshire Academy as the hosts eased to victory WRITES MIKE VIMPANY.

After a winning start last week for Basingstoke and North Hants, the showing of Tom South’s maiden half-century and Tom Scriven’s 52 runs for the host was too much for the visitor at the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground.

It was the first time this season the newly promoted Bountymen had completed a match in the ECB Premier Division and, on the evidence of their limp batting performance, skipper Mitchell Stokes will be demanding extra net practice for his run shy side this week.

All bar one of the visitor’s batsmen got into double figures, with only Laurence Benge (26), at nine, got beyond 20, although there were 24 sundries.

England Under-19 all-rounder Tom Scriven (3-32) and the emerging Chris Searle (3-41) took six of the first seven Basingstoke wickets to fall, with Scriven adding a run-out to his collection.

From 110-7 Basingstoke’s lower-order did rally and largely through wicketkeeper Benge managing to put 168 on the board.

The academy side were quick out the gate with Felix Organ (26) and South rapidly building up a half-century, with the Old Netley & Highfield raised left-hander going on to hit six boundaries in his best yet 52.

However, this really was the Scriven show as the all-rounder went on to strike a six and five fours as he eased the Academy home with an unbeaten 52, with East Woodhay product Toby Albert (21) in support.

The Bountymen remain bottom of the ECB Premier Division with just four point to their name with Lymington vising May’s Bounty this Saturday.