HOOK and Newnham Basics remain top of the Southern League Division One, despite suffering their first loss of the season at north Hampshire rivals Andover.

The home side won the toss and decided to bat and set about building a decent total to defend.

After losing opener Glyn Treagus (6) with just 17, the first of two wickets for Shane Brewer, there was then the first of a number of good partnerships.

This was between Ali Hooper (23) and Lewis McManus (49) as they took the score to 72.

Martyn James (2-31) managed to part the pair thanks to a catch by Brewer and then he caught and bowled McManus.

James then caught Matt Knight (15) off the bowling of Divecha to leave Andover 99-4.

Nathan Birks (11) was the next man out trapped leg before by Rhodes Franklin and this brought Matt Hopper (58) to the centre to join Charlie Ayers (45) and they added 63 for the sixth wicket.

Hooper then gained support from Mike Adams (11) and Babu Veettil (15) as the home side took their score to 252-9 from their 50 overs, while Daniel Moore (2-21) picked up late wickets.

After Hook lost Moore (12) caught behind, an excellent partnership of 56 between Harry Robson (41) and Kieran Thomson (36) took the score to 80.

They were parted a Thomson was caught behind by Matt Knight off the bowling of Adams.

Matt Buckingham went cheaply trapped leg before by Matt Hooper, before Robson and Josh Buckingham (17) took the score into three figures.

Charlie Ayers (4-48) then took over as the Hook started to fall away.

Richard Taylor (2-14) joined in the fun as the visitors found themselves 138-9.

Shane Brewer (18) and Divecha (2) added 21 runs for the final wicket, before Treagus will only his fourth ball bowled Brewer as Hook were dismissed for 159.

The leaders will hope to bounce back to winning ways this weekend, when they entertain OTs and Romsey.