BASINGSTOKE and North Hants slipped further down the Thames Valley League division one table after suffering a six-wicket defeat at Beaconsfield.

The visitors, who had Chris Froud returning to their line-up and Nick James promoted from the second team, were put in to bat by the home side and soon in trouble.

Not for the first time this campaign the top order failed to fire.

However, Dean Nurse led the recovery with a fine 67 as Basingstoke reached 162-9 from their full 52 overs.

This left the home side 48 overs to reach their target and they started well before an excellent run out from Jonathan Bradley split the opening pair.

With the score on 40-2, rain forced the players off at the Buckinghamshire ground, but only for 15 minutes.

On their return the home side’s winning score was built around a fine knock by Chris Thomas (73) as, with five overs to spare, they reached a winning 165-4.

Basingstoke captain Dan Coombs said: “At the time I didn’t think it was an important toss to win, but once the rain came the ball just skidded through and made it a lot easier for them.

“We lost early wickets, but Dean (Nurse) played really well again. I did not think that 162 was a bad score, but we let their openers get away and they just seemed to pick off the loose deliveries.”

See The Monday Gazette, on sale now, for a full report.