BASINGSTOKE and North Hants second XI maintained their promotion push with five wicket win over visiting Lymington in the Southern League Division Three.

Bountymen skipper Chris Chandler won the toss and put the visitors into bat and they found it tough against Chandler (0-8) from seven over and Harry Smith (0-19) from six.

The first of two run outs from Chris Froud saw opener Drew Robinson dismissed and then Joe Sutherland followed soon after, as Ash Neal (2-22) took his first wicket.

Opener Oliver Kelly (36) and top scorer Oliver Calcott (59) started to build a foundation, but the spin king Keith Harris (3-46) dismissed both and in the end they were al out for 177.

The home side's winning reply was masterminded by Australian Ben Julin with an unbeaten 79.

His 66-ball innings included eight fours and four sixes and together with Chris Jolley (52) they shared a century fifth wicket partnership.

Jolley departed with four needed and Chandler sent the next ball to the boundary to make sure of the win with 20 overs to spare.

This weekend, they face a tricky away trip to Havant II.