Debutant Rupes Armstrong led a determined, yet ultimately unsuccessful rearguard action as Hook & Newnham Basics tried their best to rescue a draw against defending ECB Southern Premier Division champions South Wilts at the KGV.

Armstrong hit 36 and staged a back-to-the-wall fight as Hook slipped to 152-8 facing a daunting South Wilts total of 293-9.

He added 29 for the ninth wicket with Max Simpson, loud cheers ringing out from the pavilion each time a ball as blocked or scored off.

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South Wilts didn't let frustration get the better of them and eventually dismissed Armstrong and Aniket Divecha in quick succession to leave Hook 180 all out and beaten by 113 runs.

Divecha earlier took 4-43 after Jack Stearman (102) and Tom Morton (96) had shared an opening stand of 187 by the visitors. 

With Bournemouth beating Bashley (Rydal), Hook are only five points clear of the relegation place ahead of Saturday's visit to Totton & Eling.

Youngsters Will Gardner, with 4-31, and debutant keeper Alex Corbett caught the eye as Hook seconds suffered a 33-run defeat by Waterlooville, wh lost both openers for ducks before making their way to 162.

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Spinner Gardner removed all four Ville middle-order wickets, including top scorerJosh McCoy (71), but no one apart from Sam Lockwood (28) and teen Corbett got going in the Hook reply.

Corbett had kept tidily and was eventually tenth man out for 29 as Hook closed with 129 on the board.

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