BASINGSTOKE and North Hants moved up to third in the Southern League Division One table, after a seven wicket win over Portsmouth.

It was sweet revenge for the Bountymen, who lost on the south coast earlier in the season.

It was spin king Matt Thankachan who turned this game on its head, as the visitors slid from 112-1 to 164 all out.

Portsmouth got off to a great start from openers Fraser Hay (80) and Jack Marston (21).

The pair put on 86 for the first wicket, before Marston was run out by Thankachan.

Thankachan (4-19) then dismissed Hay thanks to a catch from Craig Williamson.

The spin bowler then ripped out the top order as Williamson, Ryan Connor and Will Phillips all picked up catches.

Vikram Dawson (10) and Andrew Marston (15) managed to move the score towards 150, but a smart caught and bowled by Phillips, removed Dawson and then the returning Stokes (2-24) completed the job, as they were all out for 164.

Basingstoke’s reply got off to a solid start thanks to Dan Belcher (20) and Craig Williamson (23).

However, both were out with the score on 49, but the mantle was taken up by the in-form pair of Richard Vinn (44 not out) and Phillips (59).

They added 110 for the third wicket and when Phillips departed, they needed just six for victory.

Ben Julin obliged with his first ball sending Rajeev Verma’s delivery over the boundary rope for a maximum.

Next up for the Bountymen is a trip to Liphook and Ripsley.