HOOK and Newnham Basics are within touching distance of being crowned Southern League Division Once champions, despite their game at Ventnor being washed out.

This is because their two closest rivals Sparsholt and Portsmouth both played yesterday and lost.

Sparsholt went down by two wickets at Rowledge, while Portsmouth were beaten by five runs by Calmore Sports.

This Saturday, Hook play the only side to beat them in the opening half of this campaign Andover, when they visit the King George V Playing Fields.