Basingstoke Hockey into Cyril Thompson Trophy final

This was after they beat Odiham and Greywell B in the second semi-final on Monday evening at May’s Bounty.

Odiham were put into bat and the Hockey Club were soon amongst the wickets as they reduced them to 68-5 after 10 overs, as Scott Dyer took 3-23 and Jake Fincken 2-27.

Swatoop Panigrahi (50) and Ishimwe Gisele (28) then added 81 for the sixth wicket to help Odiham finish on 162-8 with David Page picking up 2-10 from two overs at the end.

The Hockey Club reply got off to a solid start as openers Max Elward (16) and Joie Belcher (40) put on 46 for the first wicket.

It was then left to Josh Weir, 48 not out, and Dan Weir, unbeaten on 45, to see them to victory.

The week before, Basingstoke Hockey booked their place in Monday’s semi-final with an eight-wicket win over Oakley.

The Oaks, having won the toss, decided to bat and scored 158-7.

Opener Nathan Scarff top scored with 51 from 41 balls which included eight fours and one six.

He was well supported by Kunal Solanki 22 and Ian Bennett, 21 not out, while Max Elward took 3-27 and Josh Weir 2-33.

The Hockey side’s reply got off to a solid start as Elward 38 and Joe Belcher 27 put on 68 for the opening wicket.

The job was then completed by Josh Weir, 51 not out off 35 balls, and Dan Weir, who was unbeaten on 25, as they finished on 159-2.

Ben Weller-Evans and Alex Brundle took one wicket each.

The Trophy final will be the first of two great T20 matches at May’s Bounty on Monday, August 31 as the Guy Jewell Cup final follows it at 2pm between holders Rotherfield Park, who face Hook and Newnham Basics.

The super day of cricket is free and a bumper crowd is expected at the home of Basingstoke and North Hants.