HOOK and Newnham suffered a heartbreaking end to last season as they missed out on promotion by less than point to Andover on the final day of the season.

Captain Matt Love is looking for his side once again be amongst the top teams in Division One and open their campaign on Saturday, with a an away trip to last season's Division Two champions Calmore Sports.

Love said: "We be looking to up and around the top four as I feel we are a difficult side to beat.

"We have a number of youngster who are looking good they are Rhodes Franklin, Jack Robson, Liam Shore and Rupert Armstrong pushing hard for a spot in the first team.

He added: "Our squad is a mix of experience and youth and I am looking forward to seeing the young lads come through the ranks.£ Hook certainly looked in good form last weekend as they dished out a crushing 242 run defeat on visiting Division One rivals Liphook and Ripsley.

One of their young guns Robson was the star of the show as hit an unbeaten century in their winning total of 328-6 Batting first the home side recovered from the early loss of Kieran Thomson and then skipper Ben Thane departed for 28.

Harry Warner (29) and Robson added 53 for the third wicket, one of a number of excellent partnerships Robson was then joined by Jordan Hobday (50) in the centre and the pair fell just two runs short of a century stand.

However, the next paring of Robson and Josh Buckingham (51) did get to three figures as the run piled up and Hook reached a superb 328-6 off their 50 overs.

In reply, Liphook were soon in trouble at 24-3, as Shane Brewer (2-17), Hobday (1-6) and Armstrong (3-29) all took wickets.

Dave Broadhurst (10) and Harry Munt (20) tried to dig in, but it soon became 56-6.

It was left to spinners Kevin Poulter (2-2) and Rhodes Franklin (2-29) to complete the job as Liphook were bowled out for 86.

Skipper against Liphook was Ben Thane and he said: “We have batted and bowled really well today. We have got a lot of time in the centre which was good.

"The mood in the camp is very buoyant at the moment and we are really looking forward to our first league game at Calmore. The performance today will make selection difficult for sure.”