BASINGSTOKE and North Hants missed out on their first Thames Valley League double last weekend as they lost at Cove by four runs, but will hope to complete one today, when Thatcham are the visitors to May’s Bounty.

In the reverse fixture in Berkshire back in June, the Bountymen won by three wickets thanks to a fine knock by Ben Foxley (74) and an unbeaten 43 by Daniel Coombs as they scored 214-7.

This after the home side had reached 211-8 as Martyn James (6-84) claimed his first of two six wickets haul this season – his last being against Windsor in Basingstoke’s last home game a fortnight ago.

Seam bowlers James and Jon Bradley have been in excellent form in the last two games for the Bountymen, grabbing 19 wickets between them.

Bradley led the way last Saturday with 5-86 in Basingstoke’s narrow four run defeat at promotion chasing Cove.

However, for the second week running ,the Bountymen’s batting did not fire as well as they would have liked and they failed to pass the home side’s total of 124.

Back on the May’s Bounty pitch for the first time in a month – their last home victory was on Castle Field due to the Hampshire game – the batsmen are sure to find it to their liking.

Victory for Basingstoke will end any slim fears of them being sucked into an end-of-season relegation fight.

The match has an earlier start of 12.30pm as all Thames Valley League games do until the end of the season.