8:40am Friday 3rd July 2009
By Graham Merry
BASINGSTOKE and North Hants will look to return to winning ways on Saturday as they entertain lowly Thame Town.
Last weekend, the May’s Bountymen suffered the heartache of losing by eight runs at Finchampstead to end a two- game winning streak, while Thame were drawing with second-placed Gerrards Cross.
Last season, Basingstoke won the away fixture at Thame, but the home game was wiped out by the weather.
Talking ahead of the weekend, Basingstoke captain Russell Droy said: “Everyone was gutted after the loss at Finchampstead, so we want to put that right this week.
Thame are side you can never underestimate, but they do like to play for the draw, so hopefully we will get the opportunity to chase and stop that happening.”
Last Sunday, Basingstoke’s run in the National Club Championship was ended at the zone final stage as for the third time in four years they lost to visiting Southern League top dogs Havant by 46 runs.
The visitors won the toss and decided to bat making 261-8 from their 45 overs, with Dean Nurse, Mitch Stokes and Chris Wood all taking two wickets each.
In reply, the home side got off to a good start as openers Russell Droy and Wood shared a first wicket stand of 76, but both fell in quick succession for 29.
From there the visitors bowled tightly and despite the efforts of Andy Giles (28), Daniel Coombs (26) and a last wicket partnership of 41 between Chris Froud (25) and Martyn James (18 not out), the home side were bowled out for 215.
Talking about the game Droy said: “At one stage when they were batting it looked like they would get 300, but we bowled and fielded well to keep them to 261. We got off to a good start, but their three spinners won them the game.”
Last Saturday, Basingstoke trio Wood, Adam Rouse and Matt King helped Hampshire Academy to a five-wicket victory at St Cross Syms in the Southern League Division One.
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