BASINGSTOKE and North Hants second team maintained top spot in the Southern League Division Three, after a 19-run home victory over promotion rivals Bashley II.

Home skipper Chris Chandler won the toss and decided to bat at May’s Bounty.

Openers Max Harsham (39) and Chris Froud (23) put on 59 for the first wicket and number three Chris Oliver (35) helped the score into three figures.

Craig Williamson (28) and Matt Deadman (87 not out) added 69 runs for the sixth wicket and then another useful partnership between Deadman and Chandler (32) worth 67, took the score to 263-7.

This helped the Bountymen to 291-9 in their 50 overs, as Pierre van Wyk (4-60) and Jake Lilley (3-53) were the chief wicket takers for Bashley.

The visitors made a good fist of the reply as they made 272-9 with Phil Morris (64) and Harry Anstee (56) their top scorers. Rakitha Perera (2-47) was the man to get rid of both of them.

There was also three wickets apiece from Chandler and Ashley Neal, as the Bountymen march on towards promotion and next weekend they are away at Fawley.