THERE is more at stake than just bragging rights this Saturday, when Hartley Wintney entertain local rivals Hook and Newham Basics in Southern League Division One.

Hook are right in the thick of the battle for promotion as they lie second in the table, while Hartley are frantically trying to move away from the relegation zone as the season enters its final month.

The visitors will arrive at the village green for a game as favourites, having only lost twice this season. However, one of those defeats came at the hands of Hartley.

Since then, the sides have clashed in the Southern Electric T20 Cup, with Hook victorious.

Looking ahead to the big derby game, Hook captain Matt Love said: “The first time we played Hartley this year we did not play well, so we want to put that right.”

Meanwhile, Hartley skipper Jamie Teale is keen to record a double over their local rivals and said: “We know they have have an explosive batting line-up, as the T20 proved, but we need to win to move away from the bottom two.”

Last time the sides met in the 50-over format, Dan Wrenn hit 91 and Scott Baldwin 61 as Hartley scored 271, with Kieran Thomson (4-46) the chief wicket taker for the hosts.

Hook were then bowled out for 237, despite good knocks from Richard Willcock (66) and Ben Allnutt (51), as Chris Jolley and Seb Waddington took three wickets each.

In the Southern Electric T20 Cup, Hook recorded a a crushing nine-wicket win, Ben Thane leading the scoring with an unbeaten century.

For this Saturday’s encounter, Hook have a full squad to pick from as wicket-keeper Josh Buckingham and Willcock are both available once more.

The pair would have missed the washed out game against Andover last weekend, when water got under the covers.

Looking ahead to his team selection, skipper Matt Love said: “It is a nice headache to have with everyone available, but it is just a shame someone will miss out.”

The Hook captain is looking forward to his side’s local trip and said: “I love going to Hartley as it has to be one of the nicest grounds to play cricket at in the league.”

“With New Milton still ahead of us in the table and Basingstoke breathing right down our necks we know we cannot afford to lose.”

Hartley will re-shuffle their line-up for the visit of Hook as opening bowler Jolley is forced to sit out after taking a ball to the head while batting in the loss at Calmore Sports.

Matt Kerr and Richard Hill also miss the game, so Will Ross, Tommy Flanders and Simon Carter all come into the side.

Carter will take over from Hill behind the stumps and he could be a lucky charm for the home side, as he also played in the win over Hook earlier in the season.

Captain Jamie Teale said: “We were no match for Hook when they last came here in the T20 game, but I feel that if we play well we can match any side in the 50-over format.”

“They are second in the league because they are a good side, but we need to win the game as much as they do, so I am sure it will be a very entertaining encounter.”