BASINGSTOKE and North Hants under-17s avenged last season’s Kerry Cup defeat with a six-wicket success over Old Tauntonians and Romsey at the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground.

With many players away on holiday, Basingstoke looked to be underdogs.

Stand in skipper Harry Smith won the toss and elected to field, a decision that soon paid off as the dangerous Harry Tulk was trapped leg before by Jake Finchen having scored just four.

Romsey made only 122-7, despite Elliot Mitchell-Lee making 66. Ashley Neal finished with figures of 3-20 from his four overs.

Man-of-the-match Joe Oates (62) got the Basingstoke reply off to a good start as he shared an opening partnership worth 79 with Lucas Freer (20).

Oates departed second man out with the score on 104 after an excellent 59-ball knock that had seen him hit eight fours.

Captain Smith scored nearly a run a ball 14 and it was left to George Metzger and Jordan Coombs to see the side home with nine balls to spare.

Captain Smith said: “We knew the toss was important as last year we got put in and were not able to gauge the pitch.

“Good fielding from all set it up, then Joe does what he does best, and everyone who stepped up contributed.”