BASINGSTOKE and North Hants suffered a bad day with the bat as they bowled out for 174 and lost by 21 runs to visiting Liphook and Ripsley at May’s Bounty.

The loss saw the Bountymen slip to third in the Southern League Division One after their title rivals New Milton and Hook and Newnham Basics both enjoyed victories.

Visiting Liphook won the toss and elected to bat and openers Rob Nicklin (29) and Chris Martin (31) built the foundation for the innings, as they put on 48 for the first wicket.

Second pair Giles Cover (51) and free hitting Suman Ganguly (34) helped the score to 132-3, before Ganguly was the third man out.

A big total looked on the cards, but the home bowlers hit back led by Mitch Stokes (5-33) and in the end Liphook were all out for 195 in the 46th over.

The Basingstoke reply did not get off to a good start as Craig Williamson was an early casualty.

Chris Froud (26) and Steve Bucksey (19) added 44 for the second wicket, before Froud was the second man out.

Elliott Hawkins then struck twice in two balls to remove Bucksey and Chris Oliver both trapped leg before.

At 70-4, top scorer Stokes (59) and Dean Nurse (10) moved the score into three figures and when Stokes’ knock ended after 72 balls which had included one six and seven fours the Bountymen were on 137-6.

Martyn James (22) and Matt Thankachan (20 not out) moved them into range, but then the home side hopes went for a burton literally, as they slumped from 164-6 to 174 all out thanks to a run out and two wickets from Sean Burton.

Basingstoke will hope to bounce back to winning ways next weekend, when they face a trip to lowly Totton and Eling.

SCORECARD

Basingstoke & North Hants v Liphook & Ripsley

Liphook

R Nicklin lbw b Stokes 29
C Martin c Williamson b Porter 31
G Cover c Williamson b Stokes 51
S Ganguly lbw b Perera 34
H Munt c Williamson b Perera 0
J Pryce b Thankachan 4
L Lee-Nutbrown lbw b Stokes 17
G Rouse c&b Stokes 20
S Burton lbw b Stokes 2
C Janczur b Porter 3
E Hawkins not out 0
Extras 4
Total 195 (45.2 overs)

Fall: 1-48, 2-86, 3-132, 4-132, 5-151, 6-168, 7-170, 8-192.

Bowling: M James 9-2-33-0, G Porter 8.2-0-40-2, M Stokes 9-0-33-5, M Thankachan 10-1-39-1, R Perera 9-1-50-2

Basingstoke

C Froud b Burton 26
C Williamson b Ganguly 0
S Bucksey lbw b Hawkins 19
M Stokes c&b Munt 59
C Oliver lbw b Hawkins 0
D Nurse lbw b Munt 10
M James c Ganguly b Munt 22
M Thankachan not out 20
L Benge run out 2
G Porter c b Burton 2
R Perera lbw b Burton 0
Extras 14
Total (46.3 overs) 174

Fall: 1-1, 2-45, 3-70, 4-70, 5-113, 6-132, 7-164, 8-166, 9-174

Bowling: S Ganguly 9-2-20-1, C Janczur 9-1-35-0, E Hawkins 10-1-43-2, S Burton 8.3-1-31-3, H Munt 10-0-38-3.

Result: Liphook won by 21 runs