BASINGSTOKE and North Hants suffered another sad day with the bat on their travels as they lost by 17 runs at Bournemouth.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field. Martyn James (2-27) took early wickets, as he dismissed opener Luke Matthews (15) and Jake Hurley (0) in consecutive balls.

His strike partner Graham Porter also did well with the ball, even if he did not take a wicket, he only conceded 13 runs from eight overs.

Ben Bridgen (43) and Chris Park (28) set about building the foundation of the Bournemouth innings, as the pair added exactly 50 for the third wicket.

Ryan Connor (2-20) then removed Bridgen and both Sanrang Urankar (0) and Chris Bolton (0) soon followed as Bournemouth slumped to 82-5.

The home side dug in as Park and Martin Miller (30 not out) moved the score into three figures.

The introduction of Brad Neal (2-23) and Dan Belcher (2-22) saw the home side again lose quick wickets, as Park was bowled by Belcher and then Neal dismissed Lombard for a duck.

Robert Park (1) and Dominic Clutterback (0) were both out in the space of a run to leave the home side 123-9.

The last pair of Miller and Jeremy Warner added 10 runs, which proved to be very valuable as they finished 133-9.

With one over lost for rain, Basingstoke were left chasing a revised total of 132 from 49 overs.

The Bountymen made a solid start despite the early loss of Chris Froud (9) bowled by Warner (3-14) Belcher (26) and Stokes (13) helped the score to 53-3, but from then on the home bowlers turned the screw as the visitors found it tough going.

Max Harsham (24) kept scoring at one end, but at the other end wickets fell Ben Julin (2) and Dean Nurse (2) were both victims for Clutterbuck (2-25) and then Warner returned and dismissed Neal (5) and James (2).

Now chasing the run rate the Bountymen in the end fell short despite Graham Porter (10) and Ryan Connor (10) both getting into double figures as Basingstoke were all out for 116.

On Saturday, Basingstoke will look to continue their 100 per cent home record, when Hook and Newnham Basics are the visitors to May’s Bounty.