BASINGSTOKE and North Hants will be looking to keep up the pressure on Southern League Division One leaders Calmore Sports when they travel to the Isle of Wight on Saturday.

The Bountymen moved back into second spot in the table after last week’s crushing eight wicket win at home to Hook and Newnham Basics and next for them is a trip to Ventnor.

Basingstoke skipper Mitch Stokes said: “We bowled and fielded really well against Hook and we are very much back in the promotion mix. Anything can happen in this league and does every week.

“We just have to keep a run going and we beat Ventnor earlier in the season, so it would be nice to complete the double over them.”

The Bountymen will be minus wicketkeeper/batsman George Metzger and middle order batsman Will Phillips.

When Basingstoke met Ventnor on the opening day of the season, they won by 153 runs at May’s Bounty.

The home side racked up an impressive 307-7 as Dan Belcher (86) and Dean Nurse (62 not out) did well with the bat.

Ventnor were then bowled out for 154 as Phillips picked up three wickets and there were two each for Martyn James, Stokes and Matt Thankachan.

David Griffiths failed to take a wicket in this game, but will travel to his native Isle of Wight, looking for a third consecutive five wicket haul.

On Sunday, Basingstoke face a stiff challenge, when top Southern League Premier side Bashley are the visitors for a T20 Cup second round tie.