HOOK and Newnham Basics face their biggest game of the season so far this weekend when they entertain Hursley Park.

The home side know victory over the basement dwellers will end any fears of relegation, but defeat will put the pressure on them for the final game of the season at Andover as they try to avoid the drop from Division Two.

Hook can take comfort from the fact, earlier in the season when they won by 55-runs this was after Jordan Hobday and Ben Thane put on 135 for the first wicket as the visitors posted 226-8.

However, opener Thane is unavailable for the Hursley game and with the Hook top order failing to fire in recent weeks captain Matt Love may well play about with the order again as he did against Basingstoke and North Hants.

Hook’s hopes will be boosted by the return of gutsy middle order batsman/wicket-keeper Josh Buckingham.

Love said: “This is a huge game for us as we know victory will leave is not having to worry about what happens on the final day.”

“It is frustrating to be in this position, but everyone is focussed on making sure we win.”