HOOK and Newnham Basics suffered only their second defeat of their Southern League Division One campaign this summer, as they lost at Sparsholt by six wickets.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, the visitors made a solid start as Harry Robson (13) and Daniel Moore (65) put on 67 for the first wicket.

After Robson was bowled by David Banks, Moore and Richard Willcock (40) took the score to 144, before former Hook man Liam Doran claimed his first wicket on his way to 5-64.

Jeremy Firth (3-34) removed Josh Buckingham and Doran claimed two more wickets leaving Hook on 150-4.

Matt Buckingham (28) and Rhodes Franklin (15) added 41 for the sixth wicket and then Martyn James (21) and Jack Murrell (13) added valuable runs as Hook were all out for 237.

Martyn James struck early on as the home side were reduced to 20-2.

However, Samuel O’Brien (74 not out) and Banks (120) then took the game away from the leaders, as they put on 198 for the third wicket.

Despite a couple of late wickets, the home side reached a winning total of 240-4 with seven overs to spare.

Today, Hook are in T20 Plate quarter-final action at Portsmouth and Southsea.

They return to league action on Saturday, when they entertain Rowledge.