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Kenny Thirun could move up the order at Thatcham

MITCH Stokes is confident that his Basingstoke and North Hants side will be able to extend their winning streak to three matches when they travel to Thatcham Town today.

Basingstoke have won all four of their away matches in Home Counties League division two west so far this season to lie second in the table, 18 points behind leaders Farnham Royal.

Last weekend's 172-run mauling of Buckingham Town was their first home win of the season and also marked the first time that they have won consecutive matches.

Captain Stokes says his side are on top of their game and are looking to retain the winning feeling.

"I have never played against Thatcham before but we have a lot of confidence after last Saturday and will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce," he said.

"If we perform as well as we have done in the last couple of weeks, we will have no trouble."

Thatcham are sixth in the league, having won three, drawn two and lost three of their opening eight games. Last weekend saw them secure a three-wicket win away at Finchampstead, with Syed Naqui taking five wickets and hitting 74 with the bat.

Basingstoke will be without Kevin Latouf, who has been loaned to Warwickshire by Hampshire. The opening batsman, who has hit one ton and two half-centuries in seven matches, will continue to play for the Bountymen when possible, but his appearances are likely to be limited.

"It is a shame to be losing Kevin because he has done well for us but we have players who can come in and take his place," Stokes said.

He is still hopeful that another Hampshire man, Chris Benham, will replace Latouf at May's Bounty, but he is unlikely to figure this weekend.

Lee Nurse will also miss the short trip to Berkshire, so batsman Craig Williamson and all-rounder John Govett will go into the team, with overseas player Kenny Thirun moving up the batting order following his swashbuckling 75 last weekend.

Having spent much of the early part of the season reliant on his own and Thirun's bowling, Stokes was pleased to see Chay Gardiner and Keith Harris among the wickets against Buckingham.

"It has been a struggle at times with just two bowlers and then a bit-part bowler," the captain said. "It is always good to know you can throw the ball to other people you can rely on."

Basingstoke and North Hants II lost their place at the summit of Thames Valley division 2A after suffering a five-wicket loss at Maidenhead and Bray. Basingstoke openers Richard Vinn (55) and Craig Williamson (47) made a positive start but, after a collapse, only Chris Froud (34) made an impact on the bowling as the Bountymen fell for 201.

Maidenhead and Bray knocked off the required runs in 33.4 overs. Keith Harsham picked up three wickets.

The club's fifth team moved up to second in division 8A with a four-wicket win at Royal Ascot III. Bill Blake's side dismissed the home side for 130, Kesavan Kandadai picking up 3-54. Chasing this modest total, Peter Gray top-scored with 28 as the visitors limped over the line in 51 overs.

7:56am Saturday 5th July 2008

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