GREG Donaldson staged a remarkable rescue act as Old Basing recovered from a terrible start to beat hosts Old Netley and Highfield in Hampshire Cricket League County Division Two.

The visitors were 14-4 when Donaldson arrived at the crease and while wickets continued to fall at the other end, he made a match-winning 133 as Basing reached 270-9.

The hosts were then bowled out for 216, with Darren Turner taking 3-57.

Basingstoke and North Hants III's promotion hopes were dented as they lost by 68 runs away at Andover II. The home side reached 243-6 and while Callum Coombs made 61, the Bountymen were dismissed for 175 in reply.

Hook and Newnham Basics II scraped a two-wicket win in a low-scoring game away at New Milton II in Division One.

Ollie May was the visitors' match-winner, taking 6-30 as New Milton were dismissed for 123, but Hook lost eight batsmen on their way to victory.

Hobos remain in pole position in Division Three North after an eight-wicket win over visiting Alton III.

Mobhrur took 4-40 as Alton were dismissed for 151, with Amir Imtiyas (77 not out) and Talah (53 not out) guiding Hobos over the line for another win.

It was bad news for all of the other north Hampshire sides in the division though.

AWE Tadley lost a thriller away at Steep. James Lovegrove (67) and Will Bellfield (65) put on 135 for the first wicket, with Michael Deller-Merricks (85) and Jack Parsons (50) forging a partnership of 122 for the third as Tadley reached 316-8.

However, while Andrew Rimmer took 3-74, Steep mounted an almighty run chase to win by four wickets with two balls to spare.

Lewis Watts' 68 was in vain as Overton came up 18 runs short at home to Hursley Park II, being bowled out for 222 chasing 240-9.

It was a bad day for Hook and Newnham Basics III, who lost by 150 runs at home to St Cross Symondians IV. Daniel Moore took 3-54 as the visitors reached 251-6 before bowling Hook out for just 101.

Struggling Hartley Wintney II lost by four wickets away at South Newton, failing to defend 183-8.

In Division Four North, Jeff Williams made 102 and James Bevan 66 as Whitchurch reached 241-8 at home to Steeple Langford. Jim Hayward then took 3-44 with the ball as the visitors were restricted to 201-9 in reply.

Gerry Dique had a good game for Oakley as they claimed a seven-wicket win away at Winterslow. He and Dan Sumner both took three wickets as the hosts were dismissed for 158, before hitting 59 in Oakley's winning reply.