HOOK had already been crowned champions of Basingstoke and District Division One, before they lost 1-0 to lowly placed Basingstoke Athletic on Saturday.

The champions had only lost two games all season, however one of these was against Athletic, a 2-1 defeat at Hook in September, so perhaps it was not that much of a surprise.

Even without key men Matt Button and Dale Bristow and including three second team players, Athletic had by far the better of the first half play.

Ryan Evans put four chances over the bar and along with Matt Stillwell, forced some very good saves from goalkeeper Chris LeBrow.

Hook improved in the second half with both Tom Davies and Dan Mellors going close, but they never really worked the goalkeeper.

It was in the 75th minute when they scored the winner. A shot from Stillwell was parried by LeBrow and Evans was close by to knock in the rebound.

The one good chance Hook had of equalising fell to Steve Price from a Pete Silvester cross, but he failed to take advantage.

Tadley Calleva A will have to wait to see if they can clinch second spot after their home game against third placed Sherborne St John was postponed on Saturday morning as the pitch at Barlow’s Park was ruled waterlogged.

Twenty Ten are still in with shout for second if they win their remaining two matches, against Tadley on Saturday and Hook on April 30.