HOOK and Newnham Basics cruised to another impressive home victory as visiting Calmore Sports found the Southern League Division One leaders too hot to handle and were beaten by 156 runs.

Hook, who have lost just once this season, won the toss and decided to bat.

It proved to a wise move by Josh Buckingham as the home side’s openers Richard Willcock and Harry Robson put on 115 for the first wicket.

Robson’s superb run-a-ball 69 was ended when he was caught by Ben Perry off the bowling of Will McNeil and then Willcock (25) was the second man out. Kieran Thomson with an excellent 52 under pinned the middle of the innings and by the time he departed the score was past 200.

He was one of three wickets for Ben Perry.

Rhodes Franklin then opened the bat at the end of the innings with 47 not out from 46 balls, which saw him hit two sixes and three fours.

This took the home side to an impressive 286-9 from their 50 overs.

Calmore’s reply started with the early loss of opener Darren Vann bowled by Jack Murrell (2-39) with the score on 10.

Ben Johns (39) and Matt Taylor (24) set about building the innings, but the introduction of Anik Devicha ended their partnership worth 56 runs.

Divecha then took the catch as Franklin removed opener Johns and Hook were firmly in the driving seat.

Spinner Divecha continued to do more damage as Calmore were reduced to 95-7.

It was left to Will Gardner, Franklin and Murrell to finish off the job as the visitors were all out for 130.

A delighted Hook captain Josh Buckingham said: “Young Harry batted really well to start with and then Kieran (Thomson) and Rhodes (Franklin) also did well. Anik (Divecha) was the pick of the bowlers in what was a good all-round team performance. It is going well for us at the moment and we are a young side enjoying our cricket.”

Hook have a tough trip next weekend, as they travel to title rivals Portsmouth for a top of the table clash.