SOUTHERN League Division Three leaders Basingstoke and North Hants II continue to set the pace after a thrilling seven run win at Fawley.

Put into bat, Chris Froud (11) and Chris Oliver (51) set about building a platform and further runs from number three Steve Bucksey (39) took the score into three figures.

The home side then took some wickets as the Bountymen slipped from 112-1 to 122-5.

Scott Dyer with a fine 60 and Chris Jolley (32) got the visitors back on track as they shared 48 for the sixth wicket.

Dyer was then joined by Keith Harsham (34 not out) and they added another 60 runs to take the score to 250.

In the end Basingstoke finished on 251 from their 50 overs.

The home side’s reply got off to a good start as Matt Brown (58) and James Nason (23) helped the side to 98-2 after the early loss of Callum Earl.

Ashley Neal (3-40) got rid of both of them and the game was back in the balance.

Bailey Parratt (23) and Rob Leach (63 not out) moved the home side to 186, before Parratt was caught by Jolley, which gave Matt Deadman (2-26) his first of two wickets.

Leach continued to threaten to win the game, but some excellent bowling in the final overs saw Fawley come up short of their target as they finished on 244-8.

This coming weekend the Bountymen have a top of the table clash at second placed Waterlooville.