BASINGSTOKE and North Hants finally got their season underway, with an excellent 77 run victory over visiting Goatacre in the second round of the ECB Club Championship.

Home skipper Mitch Stokes decided to bat and Hampshire Academy star George Metzger (29) and Chris Froud (39) got their side off to a great start with an opening partnership of 81.

Stokes (44) and Brad Neal (43) then took up the mantle and added 94 for the fourth wicket, before both were out with the score on 190 courtesy of Jack Haines (4-42).

In the end the Bountymen reached 201-9 from their 40 overs.

The visitors reply never really got going as Martyn James (2-31) took early wickets and then Ashley Neal produced a great spell taking 2-8 from six overs.

Brother Brad Neal (2-16) from four overs also chipped in as Goatacre were reduced to 79-5.

Top scorer Bradley Dawson (26) tried to get his side back in the game, but Dave Griffiths (2-29) and wickets from Stokes and Greg Donaldson (a wicket maiden), made sure they were all out for 124 in the 33th over.

Basingstoke will now host Surrey Premier Division side Normandy in round three on June 3, and the winners of this game will entertain the victors of the Havant and Bashley on June 24.