HOOK and Newnham Basics’ slim hopes of getting into the Southern League Division One title race, look to be over after they suffered a 50-run defeat at Sarisbury Athletic.

The home side put into bat made a solid start as openers Ricky Rawlins (21) and Sam Floyd (32) reached 55 without loss.

However, three runs later the pair were back in the pavilion, thanks to Hook skipper Ben Thane (3-31).

Sarisbury built again, thanks to Matthew Journeaux (35) and Chris Sole (33), as they took the score to 106.

Spin twins Kevin Poulter (2-23) and Anik Divecha (3-39) then got amongst the wickets as the home side soon found themselves 160-7.

Sarisbury added another 35 runs for the final three wickets taken by Thane, Kieran Thomson and Nick Willcock who only bowled two balls, as the home side were all out for 195.

The Hook reply did not get off to the best of starts, as T20 hero last week Josh Buckingham departed for four.

Fellow opener Ben Thane (46) held the innings together early on, but thanks to some superb bowling from Shayne Freemantle (3-17), supported by Philip Jewell (2-20) the visitors were soon 87-5.

Nick Willcock with 27 was best scorer in the middle order, but when he was the eighth man it was game over for Hook as they were bowled out for 145.

This Saturday, Hook are at home to Rowledge, before travelling to Alton the following day for their T20 Cup semi-final clash.