OLD BASING and Basingstoke and North Hants both got their seasons off to a winning start in Hampshire Cricket League County Division Two on Saturday.

Basingstoke were impressive 165-run winners away at Old Netley and Highfield, while Old Basing won by five wickets at Bournemouth II.

Keith Marsham hit 72 and Nick James 49 as Basingstoke reached 275-6, while Michael Vinn starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 5-17 as Old Netley and Highfield were dismissed for 110 in reply.

Anup Adhikary was the star of the show for Basing, taking 6-31 as hosts Bournemouth were bowled out for 142, with the visitors going on to claim a good win.

Hook and Newnham Basics II lost by three wickets away at Burridge II in Division One, failing to defend their total of 223-6.

Ail Mumtez was on top form as Hobos claimed a massive 204-run win over visiting St Cross Symondians IV in Division Three North.

He top-scored with 65 as the hosts reached 244-5, with Norman Howell also making 63, before going on to take 7-2 as St Cross were skittled out for just 40.

Michael Deller-Merricks took 4-17 as AWE Tadley dismissed hosts South Newton for 123, a total they reached for the loss of five wickets, James Lovegrove seeing them home with an unbeaten 41.

Dan Moore ended up 58 not out as Hook and Newnham Basics III were bowled out for 174, but they dismissed visiting Littleton and West Hill for 150 to win by 24 runs.

Overton beat East Woodhay by five wickets, chasing down the visitors' total of 186-9, but Hartley Wintney II were unable to complete a clean sweep for north Hampshire sides. They lost by six wickets at South Wilts III after being restricted to 182-9.

Whitchurch tasted success in their first game of the season in Division Four North.

Tom Trinder hit 51 as they reached 187-8 against Trojans II, while James Hayward took 5-16 as the visitors were dismissed for 114, giving Whitchurch a 77-run victory.

Oakley did not fare so well, losing by 29 runs away at Bentworth. Oakley did well to restrict the home side to 179-8, but it was too much for them to chase down, their innings ending with the score on 150.