Hook and Newnham Basics take bragging rights

Visiting Hook won by 82 runs at May’s Bounty, to continue their climb up the table, while the Bountymen slipped into the bottom half.

The start of the game was delayed by seven minutes, due a passing shower, and then Hook captain Matt Love won the toss and elected to bat.

The visitor’s innings was twice more disrupted by the weather in the ninth and 27 overs.

As expected Basingstoke’s opening bowlers Martyn James (1-23) and Graham Porter (0-29) kept things tight early on as Hook reached 21-1 at the first rain break.

The first man out was Jordan Hobday (12), after a tough leg before decision.

The introduction of Ryan Connor (3-22) saw more wickets fall, as he send back Matt Buckingham (9), Matt Love, for a duck after facing 16 balls, and Rich Willcock (3).

Thomson (57) contained to bat well at the other end, until he was fifth man out as Ben Julin took a wicket in a brief two over spell.

The opener's innings of 101 balls stay at the centre saw him hit nine fours and one six off Connor’s final ball.

Nick Willcock and Josh Buckingham took up the mantle and they added 30 runs for sixth wicket, before a direct hit from Stokes saw Buckingham run out for15.

It was left to Willcock (70 not out) to keep the scoreboard ticking in the last 10 overs.

In the final over bowled by Brad Neal, he hit 26 runs including six straight sixes.

This helped Hook to a total of 199-8 after 50 overs.

Basingstoke's reply got off to the worst possible start, as first ball Richard Vinn was trapped leg before, by Shane Brewer (2-19).

It got no better for the home side, as fellow opener Craig Williamson (1) also went leg before again thanks to Brewer.

It soon became 17-1 after Hobday (2-22) removed Julin (4) in what was an awful leg before decision.

Dan Belcher (26) and Mitch Stokes (21) looked to have got the home side back on track as the pair moved the total past 50.

However, both players departed with score on 54, thanks to Kevin Poulter (1-22) and Thomson (2-8).

Poulter really put the brakes on the innings bowling five maidens in his 10 over spell Young pair Max Harsham (24) and top scorer Brad Neal (32) patiently added nearly 50 for the sixth wicket.

The pair were then parted by the returning Thomson as he smashed over the stumps of Harsham with his first ball back.

Anik Devicha (2-27) then got amongst the wickets dismissing James and Porter.

Thomson then removed top scorer Neal and the innings ended without another run being added as Connor went for what looked like a certain single.

He grounded his bat and looked in, but the umpire had other ideas and the Bountymen were all out for 118. A delighted Hook skipper Love said: “I am very happy with the performance All the bowlers were fantastic and Kieran (Thomson) batted well and Nick Willcock’s 70 was worth a 100.

“I think Craig Williamson deserves a lot of credit for getting this game on today, as we would not have played at our place.”

Hook will now look to build on their latest success, when they entertain Rowledge next weekend.

Hook lost the reverse fixture at Rowledge earlier in the season, when they were bowled out for 146 trying to chase down 146.

Opening batsman Ben Thane and impressive youngster Harry Came return to the squad and Love said: “We seemed to have turned the corner now and it would be nice to win at home for the first time this season.”

Losing Basingstoke captain Stokes said: “Once again our batting has let us down. I was always going to bowl first as there is always something in this pitch.”

Next up in the Southern League for Basingstoke is a trip to leaders Sarisbury, with the Bountymen looking to complete their first double of the season, having won the first game by two wickets.

Former Hartley Wintney batsman Will Phillips is added to squad for the trip to south Hampshire.

Stokes said: “We know it is going to be a tough game, as we are having a poor run at the moment, but it would be nice for us to snap it down there.”