BASINGSTOKE and North Hants moved up to second place in the Southern League Premier Division, after beating visiting early leaders Burridge by seven wickets.

This was the team’s first ever timed game in the top division and the Bountymen cruised to an easy win, after skipper Mitch Stokes won the toss and elected to field.

The visitors were soon in trouble as opening bowlers Martyn James (3-22) and David Griffiths (2-23) got to work.

James removed Lee Savident (7) caught by Graham Porter and then soon after, his opening partner Azimunnoor Chowdhury followed him back to the pavilion. This was thanks to a superb one-handed catch from Brad Neal, as Griffiths snapped up his first wicket.

It got no better for the visitors, as they soon found themselves 35-5.

Hilio De Abreu (23) and Daniel Stancliffe (16) steadied the ship, before Stancliffe was caught behind by Lawrence Benge, off the bowling of Stokes (2-24).

Top scorer De Abreu followed with the score on 76, after being run out by a great throw from Ben Thane.

The visitors finally got themselves into three figures, thanks to Sullivan White (14 not out) and Nicholas McMurray (14), before being bowled out for 112.

With this being a timed game of 120 overs, it left Basingstoke with 79 overs to get their target.

To stand any chance of winning, Burridge needed early wickets and White gave them hope as he removed opener Dan Belcher with eight on the board Thane (27) and Stokes (39) got the scoreboard moving, before they were parted.

Stokes and Sibonelo Makhanya (24 not out) took the score to 97, before the skipper was trapped leg before by Richard Lock (2-37).

However, this did not stop Basingstoke’s march to victory, which was completed by Makhanya and Craig Williamson.

Today the Bountymen entertain Surrey champions Normandy in the next round of the Club Championship.

Next weekend in the league, they are away at sixth placed Bashley.