HOOK and Newnham Basics cruised to a 36-run victory over Basingstoke and North Hants in the final of the Guy Jewell Cup final.

Hook won the toss and Sam Lockwood produced a blistering attack on the first two Basingstoke bowlers Brad Neal and Tyler Bradley, which earned him the Magic Moment Award.

The opener clubbed the ball twice over the wall towards Fairfields School as he scored 39 in 12 balls hitting three maximums and five fours.

However the first ball of the third over saw him caught by Bradley off the bowling of Ash Neal. Neal then struck again to dismiss Josh Buckingham after a-run-a-ball 18.

Man of the match Matt Love (52) and Matt Buckingham (35) then set about consolidating a good start, as they added 71 for the third wicket.

Matt Donaldson (2-26) then dismissed both players which earned him the Guy Jewell Bowling Award, as the leading wicket taker in the competition with seven. This was thanks to catches from brother Greg and Lawrence Benge.

Basingstoke Gazette: Sam Lockwood and Matt Love. Picture by Graham Merry

Hook continued to add late runs from Jack Murrell (9) and unbeaten pair Harry Warner (12) and Richard Willcock (7) as they finished on 177-6 from their 20 overs.

Basingstoke’s reply got off to a disastrous start with Greg Donaldson, Joe Oates and Ash Neal all dismissed without scoring as the Bountymen slumped to 9-3.

This was thanks to the bowling of Willcock (3-40) and Anik Divecha (1-30) and a couple of catches from Josh Balcombe and Ollie James. Opener Matt Deadman (25) fared better before being trapped leg before by Willcock.

Basingstoke’s top scorer Brad Neal had some joy as he hit three sixes on his way to 40, before becoming the third wicket for Josh Balcombe. His two previous victims were Dean Nurse (11) and Dan Belcher (0).

Despite the game being over the Bountymen kept going, Hook’s Lewis Watts picked up the late wickets of Craig Williamson (8) and Matt Donaldson (25) which included two sixes.

Final Basingstoke pair Benge (10) and Bradley (14) saw out the overs, but Basingstoke finished well short of their target on 141-9.

Winning Hook captain Josh Buckingham said: “I am really proud of the boys it was a real team performance today.”

In the Cyril Thompson Trophy, Ramsdell suffered the heartbreak of losing by fewer wickets after both teams finished on 161.

Ramsdell batted first with Tom Holbrook leading the way with 57 which included three sixes and five fours. The next best three scorers were opener Luca Wade 22, Kieran Exley 16 and Pete Ballard 15 not out.

In reply, Andover’s opening bat Nathan Birks hit a superb 83 to take his total for the competition to 363 runs, which won him the Mary Jewell Batting Award. In an excellent game, Andover reached the 20th and final over with Birks still at the crease and needing 10 for victory.

Jon Bradley bowled him with the third ball, which left Andover needing six off the final three balls.

A four and leg bye put the side’s level on 161 and despite a run out on the final ball, Andover won the game as they had only lost six wickets to Ramsdell’s seven.

The other Rams wicket takers were Wade with two and Holbrook one.

Organiser of the two competitions Bill Blake said: “I must thank all the teams and also everyone who help to make these competitions the success they are.”