BASINGSTOKE and North Hants bounced back to winning ways, even the weather was unable to stop them, as they beat visiting Bashley (Rydal) by 26 runs.

Having been put into bat, the home side made a swift start, as opener Chris Jolley helped himself to 40 off 21 balls, as he hit two sixes and six fours.

He departed with the score on 68, which brought Craig Williamson (18) to the crease and along with Ben Thane (41) they took the score to 126.

The score moved to 145 with the loss of Thane and Sibonelo Makhayha (17).

After this, Max Harsham (20) and Toby Albert put on nearly 50 for the fifth wicket.

Albert went on to top score in the innings with 62, which came from 79 balls and included seven fours.

He was the ninth man out as he helped the Bountymen to an impressive 277-9.

Sean Read was the chief wicket taker for Bashley with 4-52.

The visitors reply got off to a solid start, as openers Tom Jacques (28) and Neil Thurgood (25) put on 55 for the first wicket.

Their third man in Michael Porter was the top scorer in the match with 63, but he was dismissed by Stokes, one of his five wickets in his 5-39 After the rain came down, the visitors were set a revised total of 233 from 42 overs but could only reach 207-9.

Next for the Bountymen is a trip to Havant.