BASINGSTOKE and North Hants won their first piece of silverware for 2017 season on Tuesday night at Hartley Wintney.

The Bountymen enjoyed a 16-run victory over Hampshire rivals Cove in the final of the Don Lynch Aylward Cup.

Cove won the toss and elected to bowl in a competition which is played over 15 eight ball overs.

The Bountymen started slowly, but eventually got going thanks to man of the match Dan Belcher (68) and Joe Oates (31).

They helped Basingstoke to a total in the end of 151-6. Andy Short was the top bowler with 3-46.

In reply, Cove started slowly but eventually after 10 overs appeared to be on top.

However, Basingstoke hit back and removed their top scoring pair Nick Farr (62) and Stan Marisa, (40).

A brilliant penultimate over by Brad Neal saw him concede just two runs.

In the end Cove finished on 135-9, as Basingstoke once again won the trophy.

Skipper Mitch Stokes said: “Dan (Belcher) and Joe (Oates) gave us a target to bowl at, but 150 was still beatable. They looked to be getting on top, but thanks to some excellent bowling and fielding we got ourselves over the line. It was great to win our first trophy of the season.”

Tonight, the Bountymen will be hoping to make the semi-final of the Finch Group Guy Jewell Cup, with Rotherfield Park standing in their way at May’s Bounty.

On Saturday, Southern League Division One leaders Basingstoke will hope to maintain top spot, when they entertain visiting Rowledge.

Earlier in the season, the Bountymen lost in the reverse fixture by seven runs, after being bowled out for 188 with stokes the top scorer on 60.

This was after Rowledge scored 195-7 with Matt Thankachan the leading wicket taker with three.

Middle order batsman Will Phillips is back in the line-up for Saturday's game and Stokes said: “We did not bat very well in the last game, so we will be looking to get that right this time. It is a matter of ticking off another and getting as many bonus points as we can.”

Last Saturday, the Bountymen’s game against Liphook and Ripsley saw not a ball bowled due to the weather.

The second team, who head the Southern League Division Three, also had their game wiped out last weekend, and they are away this Saturday at Havant II.