BASINGSTOKE and North Hants slipped to third in the Southern League Division One, after they suffered a 138-run defeat at Portsmouth.

The south coast side won the toss and elected to bat at St Helens Field and this proved to be the right choice, as Portsmouth became the first side to post 300 against the Bountymen this season.

Opener James Christian led the way as he scored an excellent century, and shared a first wicket stand worth 75 with Jordan Palmer-Goddard (27).

Palmer-Goddard being the first man out thanks to a catch from Dean Nurse, which gave Mitch Stokes, his first of four wickets.

Portsmouth then piled on the runs, thanks to Christian and Andrew Marston (80) as the pair added 121.

They were parted when Christian was trapped leg before by Ryan Connor.

This ended his 137 ball stay in the centre, which saw him hit 11 fours and two sixes.

Despite the loss of their century maker the home side continued to score runs freely as Marston and Fraser Hay took up the mantle.

Hay especially punished the Bountymen bowlers as his 64, came off just 33 balls and saw him hammer four sixes and five fours.

His was the third wicket to fall with the score on 281.

After this the home side threw the bat as they finished on 304-6 with Stokes (4-51) the top bowler of seven used by the visitors.

Having enjoyed himself with the bat, Hay then enjoyed himself with the ball, dismissing both Basingstoke openers Dan Belcher and George Metzger with just 38 on the board.

Skipper Stokes and Will Phillips set about repairing the damage, as they added 68 for the third wicket.

Once again Stokes was Basingstoke’s top scorer with a fine 65 from 33 balls which included three sixes and nine fours.

Portsmouth’s Ethan Randell added the scalp of Will Phillips (19) to that of Stokes and then Marston caught ad bowled Dean Nurse for a duck as Basingstoke struggled to 120-5.

Bradley Neal (10) and David Griffiths (27) moved the score to 152, but at this point Neal, Griffiths and Martyn James all lost their wickets thanks to Marston and Vikram Dawson.

The writing was now on the wall and Basingstoke were eventually bowled out for 166 inside 33 overs, as Hay (3-31) returned to finish off the job.

The Bountymen will hope to bounce back to winning ways in the league next weekend, when they entertain Tichborne Park, while today they have a T20 Cup game against visiting Ventnor.