BASINGSTOKE and North Hants skipper Mitch Stokes is hoping his batsmen come to the party this weekend, as his side head to Bournemouth in their latest Southern League Division One encounter.

Last weekend, once again the Bountymen struggled at the centre, as they were bowled out for 155 against visiting Liphook and Ripsley, but it still proved enough as they won by 19 runs.

Only summer signings Dan Belcher (32) and Chris Jolley (54) batting at number eight, got to grips with the visitors attack.

Captain Stokes said: "We have been aggressive too early with the bat and it would be nice to see the guys hang around in the centre this weekend and build a nice score."

Once again it was the Bountymen bowlers who won the game, led by Stokes (3-40), backed up by Martyn James (2-25) and Jolley (2-4), before Graham Porter and Ashley Neal finished off the game as Liphook were bowled out for 132.

Basingstoke are forced to make one change to their line-up for the trip to Bournemouth, as Jolley was injured while bowling and his place will be taken by Ryan Connor or Brad Neal.

The Dorset side have won their last two games moving them up to seventh in the table, while the Bountymen are third.

Looking ahead to the longest trip of the season, Stokes said: "We really want to put pressure on the top two and the only way to do this is keep winning. At home we are fine, but away is a different story."