BASINGSTOKE and North Hants second team moved up to fifth spot in the Southern League Division Three, after a crushing eight wicket win at bottom side Alton II.

Skipper Richard Vinn won the toss and elected bowl and the home side were soon in trouble, as opening bowlers Harry Smith (3-24) and Keith Harsham (1-10) reduced Alton to 26-4.

It was then left to the spin twins of Dave Pistorius (4-8) and Harris (2-24) to complete the job as the home side were shot out for 97.

Extras ended up top scoring with 17, while number 10 Stephan Ball scored 16 thanks to the only six of the innings, as did Howard Gadsby batting at number six.

In reply, Vinn and evergreen batsman Leon Nurse put on 63 for the first wicket and by the time Nurse’s excellent knock of 60 came to an end the seconds had reached 82-2.

It was left to Andy Giles and Max Harsham to see the side home.

They will be going for their fourth straight win when they entertain second placed Trojans next weekend.

SCORECARD

Alton II v Basingstoke and North Hants II

Alton

J Penn c Harris b Smith 6
H Hammond c Vinn b Smith 6
J Paul c Fricken b Smith 2
D Evans c Vinn b Pistorius 10
A Posties b K Harsham 3
H Gadsby lbw b Pistorius 16
I Mason c Harris b Pistorius 6
D Trim c&b Harris 10
T Paul c Vinn b Pistorius 4
S Ball not out 16
R Petts-Mellan b Harris 1
Extras 17
Total (38.2 overs) 97

Fall: 1-8, 2-16, 3-22, 4-26, 5-36, 6-58, 7-60, 8-73, 9-76.

Bowling: K Harsham 7-4-10-1, H Smith 7-2-24-3, J Fricken 5-0-26-0, D Pistorius 10-6-8-4, K Harris 7.2-0-24-2, J Oates 2-1-1-0.

Basingstoke

R Vinn lbw b Paul 11
L Nurse c Mason b Paul 60
A Giles not out 8
M Harsham not out 3
Extras 17
Total (for 2 wkts, 30.4 overs) 99

Fall: 1-63, 2-82

Bowling: S Ball 7-0-9-0, D Trim 5-0-30-0, T Paul 10-3-15-2, R Petts-Mellan 2-0-17-0, J Paul 6.4-1-24-0.

Result: Basingstoke won by 8 wkts.