BASINGSTOKE and North Hants slipped further adrift at the bottom of the Southern League Premier Division after losing to visiting South Wilts by 124 runs.

Basingstoke were put into the field and after five overs they lost David Griffiths, who was forced out of the attack by a reoccurring calf injury.

Max Harsham took over for the final two balls and much to his delight had opener Peter Rowe (2) caught by Joe Oates.

Fellow South Wilts opener Tom Morton and Arthur Godsal set about building a score to defend, but the introduction of Basingstoke’s South African star Brad Porteous stopped the partnership in its tracks as he bowled Morton for 38.

Just 20 runs later, the same bowler had Raff Hussey (2) caught behind by Lawrence Benge making it 67-3.

James Hayward was the next man in and along with Godsal, who was to be South Wilts batting hero, they took the score into three figures before Hayward (14) was bowled by Tom Allam.

Godsal and Ben Draper (25) added 49 for the fifth wicket with the impressive Ash Neal parting that pair thanks to a stumping from Benge.

Jack Stearman then joined Godsal and they took the score past 200.

At which point Godsal’s excellent century knock was ended as he was bowled by Porteous (6-71). His superb innings of 151 balls included 16 fours.

It was now left to 17-year-old Stearman to take up the mantle and he finished unbeaten on 46, as the visitors were bowled out for 258 in 61 overs.

This left Basingstoke with 59 overs to reach their target, but they were soon in trouble, as Luke Evans struck in his first over clean bowling Harsham.

Godsal then followed up his ton with 3-16 as he had Josh May and Porteous both trapped leg before and Hussey took a catch to dismiss Griffiths.

At 30-4, the Bountymen were in trouble, but Jordan Hobday continued his good form from last week and with Brad Neal started to repair the damage.

Unfortunately, after adding 46 runs, former Old Basing star Ryan Murray removed Hobday caught behind by Morton for 44, which included eight fours and a six.

Just four runs later, Neal joined him in the pavilion thanks to another Morton catch off the bowling of Will Harries.

Tom Allam then just lasted two balls as Murray (3-31) struck again making it 80-7.

Chris Jolley (21) joined Joe Oates (22) and they put on 53 for the eighth wicket, before Oates was caught by Godsal for Murray’s third wicket.

South Wilts skipper Morton then turned to spin, as Jack Mynott joined the attack and he took the last two wickets of Jolley and Benge as Basingstoke were all out for 134 in the 33rd over.

Basingstoke skipper Griffiths said: “It was another disappointing day, but we have to put it behind us as we have some important games coming up.”

Next for the Bountymen is a trip to Burridge on Saturday.