Hook & Newnham Basics II pulled off a Houdini-style escape act to avoid relegation at the end of their debut season in Southern Premier Division 2.

A six-wicket win over Andover, promoted alongside Hambledon as runners-up, ensured they finished the campaign with three more points than Bashley (Rydal) II, who were relegated alongside Fawley.

“Talk about relief,” exclaimed Hook chairman Keith Lovelock. “We’ve already experienced the first team going down from the ECB Premier Division and to lose the seconds as well would have been a bitter pill to swallow.

“They’ve done remarkably well to get promoted from the Hampshire League in 2019 and again from Division 3 in their first season, so at least we’ll have only a one division gap between the sides next year.”

Hook’s decision to strengthen their side with the selection of Anitek Divecha and Matt Buckingham paid dividends at London Road, where they bossed proceedings for lengthy periods.

But for tenth-wicket pair Matt Hooper and Mike Adams, Andover might not have got the six bonus points they needed to ensure finishing above Old Tauntonians & Romsey.

All appeared well in the London Road camp when Harry Blackburn (40) and Charlie Ayers (21) guided Andover to 105-3, but Hook spin pair Divecha (3-23) and Will Gardner put an entirely different complexion on proceedings by reducing the Lions to 148-9, six wickets falling for 43 runs.

Andover had only one batting point in the bank at that point and with OTs known to be in a winning position against Fair Oak, it was time to some experience heads.

Cue Hooper (41 not out) and Adams (22 not out) to add a precious 53 for the last wicket and lift Andover to 201-9 – a total worth four batting points.

With OTs missing out on maximum batting points by making 201-6, Andover needed only one more points to clinch promotion.

They had to be patient as it wasn’t until Hook openers Tom May (38) and Dan Moore (36) were back in the pavilion at 86-2 before that extra bowling point was achieved.

Hook were firmly in control by then as Buckingham (59 not out), supported initially by Alex Corbett and Oli James, and later Rupes Armstrong (28 not out) drove them towards their winning target – and safety.

It was just as well Hook did win as Bashley pulled off a victory of their own at St Cross Symondians.