SOUTHERN League Division Three leaders Basingstoke and North Hants II won a thrilling top of the table clash at Waterlooville by one run.

Having been put into bat, the visitors suffered the early loss of Richard Vinn and then looked to have recovered, as opener Chris Froud (22) and Chris Oliver (15) added 27 for the second wicket.

Oliver was then bowled by Sam Hillman and Finlay Rockett took two wickets in two balls to remove Steve Buckey and Scott Dyer as Basingstoke found themselves 39-4.

Froud and Matt Deadman (13) took the score to 62, before another clutch of wickets fell leaving the visitor’s 68-7.

Up stepped Chris Jolley to save the day, with an excellent 47 from 43 balls which included seven fours.

Together with Harry Smith (6) they took the score to 92 and then Jolley and Ashley Neal (15) put on 47 for the ninth wicket which helped Basingstoke to 142 all out.

The home side’s reply got off to a reasonable start, even if opening bowlers Chris Chandler (1-26) and Jolley (1-32) took early wickets.

Opener Tim Jackson (21) was then bowled by Neal and he also got rid of Tom Greene for a duck in the same over to leave Waterlooville 56-4.

However, from here Alex Shepherd (40) and Jon Hudson (33) built what looked like a match winning partnership, as they took the score to 124.

Scott Dyer (3-7) from four overs removed both in the space of 11 runs and despite having wickets in hand, some really tight bowling from Keith Harris (0-9) from 10 overs stopped the home side dead in their tracks.

They finished on 141-7 from their 50 overs, which was two runs short of victory.

The Bountymen will continue their quest for the title next weekend, when they entertain lowly Hursley Park.