Hook & Newnham Basics will enjoy the local bragging rights for the next two months after over-powering Basingstoke & North Hants to win the season's first Southern Premier Division 1 derby, writes Mike Vimpany

They piled up a daunting 274 in the King George V heat before bowling Basingstoke out for 178 to complete an emphatic victory.

The result led to previously unbeaten Basingstoke conceding top spot to Andover - whom they meet at May's Bounty on Saturday, June 17, at 12.30 - in a tight top three, where only two points separate the lead trio after five completed rounds of matches.

Andover lead the way with 95 points, with Basingstoke and Hook two points behind in joint second place.  

It is anticipated that as many as seven clubs could scrap it out for the Division 1 honours.

Basingstoke's prospects in the KGV derby took a cruel twist three balls into the fourth over of Hook's innings when skipper Joe Oates hobbled off injured, returning from A&E on crutches five hours later with a badly sprained right ankle.

He had just removed the in-form Harry Warner, caught at slip by Ash Neal.

Hook took advantage with Josh Buckingham (69) and Harry Robson (33) taking Hook into treble figures, the past Basics captain hitting two sixes and ten fours in a typically forceful knock.

Elder brother Matt (32) pushed on before Rupert Armstrong arrived at the crease to drive Hook into an increasingly prominent position.

Developing into a serious all-round talent, Armstrong struck three maximums alongside three fours in his significant 57. They came out of 92 teams runs scored while he was in the middle, Hook advancing to 254-7 in the process.

Will Gardner (21) and Lewis Watts produced late cameos while Rakitha Perera (3-43), with three late wickets, was the most successful of the eight bowlers used.

The emerging Neil Shelar (40) eased Basingstokle reply to 62-1 when three wickets fell in quick succession. 

They tumbled regularly as BNH realised the game was up, although Matt Donaldson (25), Ali Brown (24) and Callum Coombs (21) did manage to secure some batting bonus points as they closed at 178 all out.

Aniket Divecha and Jack Murrell shared six wickets for Hook, who host Gloucestershire side Painswick in the Voneus Village Cup fifth round at the KGV on Sunday, June 18, at 1pm.