BASINGSTOKE and North Hants will be out to avenge an early season defeat and repeat last season’s success, when Wokingham are the visitors to May’s Bounty on Saturday.

After last week being robbed of victory at Gerrards Cross by the weather, this weekend Basingstoke will be even more eager to record their third win of the season.

Despite bagging 15 points from their drawn game in Buckinghamshire, the May’s Bountymen slipped down to just above the Home Counties League Division Two West trap door.

A loss on Saturday against their Berkshire rivals would see them drop into the relegation zone, while a victory would bolt them up the table.

Last weekend, Dean Nurse was the team’s top scorer with 69 in useful looking 277, which the home side, Gerrards Cross, never got close to. They finished on 127-8, with Gavin Tonge (4-50) the top wicket taker supported by Jonathan Bradley (2-7) and Martyn James (2-40).

When Basingstoke played this Saturday’s opponents Wokingham earlier in the season, captain Russell Droy top scored with 56, with Ben Foxley the next best of 39 in an all out total of 171.

Simon Myles guided home their Berkshire rivals scoring an unbeaten 76 in a six wicket success. Basingstoke are expected to field the same side that were denied victory at Gerrards Cross.

Talking ahead of the game, skipper Droy said: “We were unfortunate with the rain last week and we have to start winning as teams around us have won four games and we have only won twice.

“I think Wokingham play very well on their own ground, but at May’s Bounty let’s hope it is a different story. I hope we can beat them like we did last season.”

A couple of Basingstoke teenagers are currently in action. Matt King is playing for Hampshire under-16s at May’s Bounty, while Chris Wood is in action for England under-19s in Derby.