Basingstoke & North Hants hauled themselves out of the Southern Premier Division 1 relegation zone for the first time this season with an emphatic seven-wicket win over New Milton at May’s Bounty.

They dismissed the visitors for 135 and polished off the target with 14 overs to spare.

Richard Vinn was Basingstoke’s inspiration, hitting an unbeaten 51 after snapping up four victims behind the stumps.

It was Basingstoke’s second win in three matches, partially wiping away the memories of a horrific visit to Ventnor a week earlier when they were skittled for 65 and crushed by nine wickets.

Young Jake Fincken (2-34) gave Basingstoke the perfect start by nipping out both New Milton openers, while fellow teen Neil Shelar (2-10) struck two more blows to leave the visitors 42-4, Vinn pouching three catches.

George Watts, with a six and nine fours in a battling 59, kept Basingstoke at bay but when he became the first of three victims for Dubs Wood (3-20) New Milton’s tail folded, the last five wickets falling for six runs, two clean bowled by Matt Donaldson (2-12).

Having Dubs Wood, the teenage son of club coach Julian Wood, available after spending the first month of the season with the Hampshire Academy was a distinct boost for Basingstoke.

Wood (19) joined a perfect victory chasing platform with a fifty start, Vinn going on to hit an undefeated 51 and share a key 40-run partnership with Matt Deadman (30) which eased the Bountymen home.

Basingstoke seconds were pleased with their work with the ball, with Harry Smith (3-11) and Matt Thankachan (3-28) sharing six wickets as Division 3 leaders Portsmouth & Southsea were dismissed for a moderate 155 at St James’s Park.

But Basingstoke found themselves blown away by P & S seamer Jack Peach, who took 7-17 – having earlier been involved in a key tail-end partnership which rescued the Southsea hosts from 117-8.

Bowled out for 57, Basingstoke lie second from bottom, three points below safety.