Bountymen buoyant after double victory (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Bountymen buoyant after double victory

8:20am Friday 26th June 2009 in

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AFTER leading his side to two victories last weekend, Basingstoke and North captain Russell Droy is hoping his team’s good form will continue against local rivals Finchampstead.

The Bountymen extended their winning run to three games by beating Aston Rowant and Reading last weekend and Droy is looking to pick up another victory on Saturday, when Basingstoke make the short trip to Berkshire in Home Counties division two west.

“Fichampstead are a bit like local rivals and we really want to beat them,” he said. “They are only just above us in the league as well so it would be nice to get ahead of them.”

While pleased just to get some victories on the board after a slow start to the season, Droy has also been encouraged by the way his side have picked up wins recently.

Their first league win of the season, against Reading a fortnight ago, saw them successfully chase down a total of 233, and they followed this up by bowling Aston Rowant out for 97 last Saturday to claim a home success. Then, on Sunday, they beat Reading for the second time in as many weeks, chasing down 256 to reach the zone final of the National Club Championship.

“During the last couple of seasons we have failed chasing low totals but we have done that two or three times this season,” Droy said.

“We are probably not as confident bowling teams out but we managed to do that on Saturday, so we are not phased whether we have to bat or bowl second.”

Droy will be without bowler Chay Gardiner and batsman Ben Foxley for the trip to Finchampstead, but expects to welcome back all-rounder Jon Govett.

Last Sunday, at Reading, the home side batted first and made 256-8 from their 45 overs, a second wicket partnership of 134 doing most of the damage. Joe McDonnell was the top Basingstoke bowler, taking 4-72.

In reply, Andy Giles made 75 not out and Richard Vinn 55 as the visitors cruised to a five-wicket win with an over-and-a-half to spare.

That win sets up a zone final with Havant at May’s Bounty on Sunday. Havant won Southern League division one last year and are currently top of the table, so Droy expects a difficult game.

“Havant are a very serious club and it is going to be tough,” he said. “It would be nice to get through because we have not done it for a few years but we will see how it goes.”

Droy has selection problems for the game but does expect to welcome back former captain Mitchell Stokes, who is unavailable on Saturday but has recovered from a back injury.