EXCELLENT spells of bowling from Veeru Pokala and Stephen Reid helped St Mary’s beat Rowledge III to give their hopes of avoiding relegation from Hampshire Cricket League Regional Division Two North a much-needed boost.

Having reached 194-7 in their innings, visiting St Mary’s managed to bowl their hosts out for 169, with Pokala taking 4-35 and Reid 4-33.

St Mary’s remain second-bottom, despite their 25-run win, but they are closing the gap on the sides above them.

The derby between Rotherwick ITW and Odiham and Greywell II was abandoned due to rain.

Basingstoke and North Hants IV claimed a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over local rivals Old Basing II in Division One North.

Ashley Neal took 5-18 as hosts Old Basing were dismissed for just 109, a total that Basingstoke’s opening pair of Leon Nurse (54 not out) and Joe Oates (54 not out) were able to surpass on their own.

Odiham and Greywell also enjoyed a big win. They bowled visiting Winterbourne out for 114, with Thomas Bowden’s unbeaten 50 seeing them home for a nine-wicket win.

Herriard did not fare so well, being bowled out for just 82 away at St Cross Symondians V. Tom Moore took 4-21 in the St Cross reply, but the hosts claimed a four-wicket victory.

Kingsclere’s trip to Farley, Ashford Hill’s game at Littleton and West Hill II, the derby between Ramsdell and Sherfield-on-Loddon and Oakley’s trip to St Mary Bourne were all washed out.

Hook and Newnham Basics IV claimed a five-wicket victory away at Herriard II in Division Three North West, with Ollie May taking 4-25 as the hosts were bowled out for 134.

Ramsdell II beat visiting Colden Common II by eight runs, successfully defending their total of 120-8. Overton II’s trip to Basingstoke and North Hants V, Old Basing III’s game against Hartley Wintney III and Overton III’s match against Otterbourne were all cancelled due to rain.

Odiham and Greywell III enjoyed a 39-run victory over visiting Whitchurch II in Division Four North West. Liam Schooling made 54 and Kevin Ralph finished with figures of 3-16 as Odiham reached 162-8, while the hosts then bowled Whitchurch out for 123, Andy Stenning taking 4-29 and Oliver Hall 3-20.

The game between Ashford Hill II and AWE Tadley II was washed out, while Herriard III conceded their trip to Longparish III and Oakley II were left without a game when Crown Taverners II conceded.