Last pair Adrian Brown and Matt Griffiths scrambled a dramatic one-wicket win for Basingstoke & North Hants by nudging their way past New Milton’s 158.

They came together at 152-9 and had to survive 19 balls from Milton skipper Gorge Watts and skipper Joe Hall.

Brown hit nine not out and Griffiths five, including two runs off the final ball of the 44th over to win the match.

Losing wickets all the way down the line, Basingstoke were never comfortable chasing the target, with the eventual victory owing much to Callum Coombs (31), who took the reply to 133-8 before he was trapped leg before.

Matt Deadman (21), Joe Oates (19) and tenth man Jake Fincken, who hit three important boundaries, provide key support.

Oates (3-23) was Basingstoke’s best bowler.

Basingstoke seconds face a crunch Division 3 relegation showdown with Trojans at Stoneham Lane on Saturday – a match they dare not lose if they are to stay up

With Greg Donaldson flaying eight sixes in a blistering 90 and Harith Jayakody making 57, Basingstoke piled up 266-9 against SPL3 leaders Portsmouth & Southsea – but still lost by seven wickets with 14 overs to spare.

Jack Davies hit an unbeaten 135, with Tyler Bradley’s four overs costing 58 runs. He earlier bagged a first ball duck.

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.

Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.

Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.

Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.

Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.