BASINGSTOKE and North Hants CC bounced back from defeat on the opening day of their Thames Valley League Division One campaign by beating Cove to reach the second round of the National Club Cup.

The Bountymen suffered a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat at home to local rivals Reading on Saturday but they hit back the following day, winning by three runs away at Cove.

Basingstoke lost the toss and were put in to bat on a tricky pitch. Several batsmen got starts but none of them managed to go on and anchor the innings.

As a result, Basingstoke lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 137.

The Cove reply got off to a good start and the hosts were 66-1 at one point – but Jon Bradley took the key wicket of opener Reagan McLean (48) and sparked a collapse.

Cove were soon 83-6 but they recovered to 113-6 before two quick wickets from Jack Parsons turned the tide again.

However, it was a close run thing, with Basingstoke getting the final wicket with Cove just four runs short of victory.

Cove pipped Basingstoke to the Thames Valley League Division One title last season so victory tasted especially sweet for captain Dan Coombs.

“It was a very good win on Sunday and nice to beat Cove after just missing out to them in the league last year,” he said. “It was a very tight game and we did well to come back and win at the end but it is nice just to get a victory on the board.

“We thought we were a bit light runs-wise because a few of us got starts and did not go on. We did not bat out our overs either, which was disappointing because that was something we set out to do.

“We knew it would be difficult for them to score against our bowlers but they got off to a good start. We could easily have given up but we managed to get wickets at important times. It was a good team performance all round.”

The Bountymen will travel to Hampshire rivals Havant for the next round of the competition on Sunday – and they will be looking for another slice of revenge.

Coombs said: “Havant are a strong side who always do well in the Southern League but we will go there looking to prove a point because we were well beaten by them last year.”

Before that, on Saturday, Basingstoke will travel to Wokingham looking to record their first win of the season in the league.

“We will be looking to build on Sunday’s result,” Coombs added. “It was great to get a win on the board and you could see that it gave us all a bit of confidence after Saturday.

“Wokingham did well against Finchampstead to get a draw last week. I have heard that they have got a couple of new players, including an overseas, so it will be a tough game.”

Coombs is likely to make just one change, with opening bowler Bradley set to return after missing the game with Reading due to a tooth problem.