FEW local derbies are as hotly contested, as when Basingstoke and North Hants and Hook and Newnham Basics clash.

There is even more at stake this year, as both sides are very much in the Southern League Division One promotion shake-up, looking to chase down leaders Calmore Sports.

Hook are currently second with Basingstoke hot on their heels in third and May’s Bounty will host the first meeting this season on Saturday.

Hook are the in-form team at the moment, after five straight wins, the most impressive being their latest, when they shot out Portsmouth for 65.

Shane Brewer did most of the damage taking four wickets and there were two each for Rupert Armstrong and Kevin Poulter, The home side won by 10 wickets, as Ben Thane finished unbeaten on 41.

Richard Willcock and Matt Buckingham are back in the Hook squad for this weekend.

The Bountymen also enjoyed a 10 wicket home win last weekend.

Former Hampshire and Kent seamer David Griffiths, enjoyed his best day with the ball since joining this campaign as player/coach, with five wickets as Tichborne were bowled out for 133.

Dan Belcher (77) and Max Harsham (52) shared an unbroken opening stand for victory.

The Bountymen are set to be unchanged for this weekend’s derby game.

Looking ahead to the game, Hook’s captain Thane said: “Basingstoke is always the biggest game of the season. It is the first one we look for on the fixture list.”

Basingstoke skipper Mitch Stokes said: “Every game is a big one and no one wants to loss ground on the leaders.”