HOOK and Newnham Basics have continued their 100 per cent start to their league season after an occasionally nervy victory over New Milton.

The club tops the Southern Premier Cricket League Division 1 after four wins from four, with the latest coming by 15 runs at home.

The hosts were into bat first and opener Richard Willcock quickly put the New Milton fielding team to work, hitting four fours on his way to 26 before being caught by Alfie Hussey.

Harry Warner built on the foundation set by Willcock, adding a further six fours before being bowled by Ryan Beck for 45.

It was captain Josh Buckingham who led by example, hitting seven four and three sixes, finding gaps at will in the field.

The visitors to the King George V Playing Field thought they had a breakthrough to exploit when they dismissed Buckingham for 77 runs, being caught by Billy Tomkins,

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but his replacement, Rhodes Franklin, picked up where his captain left off.

Rhodes managed to add a further 40 runs, hitting four fours and one six in the process, as Hook built up a total of 261 before they were all out.

After New Milton's openers strode out to bat, Basics got off to the perfect start with Shane Brewer bowling Luke Mortimore for a duck.

However, Ryan Beck put together something of a comeback for the visitors, racking up 60 before finally being dismissed, LBW to Aniket Divecha.

The pairing of James Haggaty and Lee Beck who made a real dent in the 261 target, scoring 49 and runs respectively.

And despite a late floury of runs by Dan Loader (41), but after he was dismissed by Willcock, victory was all but assured for the hosts.

Wilcock had the pick of the figures, taking three from his 7.2 overs.

The win leaves Basics top of the league with 87 points.

However, the team did not have the same fortune in the National Village Cup, losing out by four runs to Sarisbury Athletic.

Hook and Newnham Basics will be looking to continue their perfect league start when they host Sparsholt at King George V Playing Field on Saturday.

Sparsholt currently sit third in the table.