BASINGSTOKE and North Hants second team returned to the top of the Southern League Division Three, after an excellent 59 run victory away at Alton II.

The visitors having won the toss elected to bat, but soon found themselves 25-2 with Chris Froud and Richard Vinn back in the pavilion, both victims of Patrick Sampson.

Andy Giles (24) was then the third man out with 57 on the scoreboard.

From here the Bountymen got to work and Joe Oates (35) and Bradley Neal (80) took the score into three figures.

Neal and Matt Deadman (20) moved the total onto 183-5, before Neal and skipper Chris Chandler (41 not out) added 90 for the sixth wicket.

Neal was then bowled by Daniel Scott (3-39) to end his excellent knock of 92 balls which saw him hit seven fours and the only six of the innings.

In the end, the Bountymen finished on 254-7 from their 50 overs.

Hugo Hammond (37) and Joe Paul (30) got Alton off to a good start, before both fell to spin king Keith Harris (3-19) from his 10 overs.

Daniel Scott coming in at number four scored 35, but after this only Andrew Pearce (36) did any real damage with the bat.

Alton were eventually bowled out for 195, as Rakitha Perera picked up two wickets.

Next weekend, Basingstoke face promotion rivals Bashley II.