BIRTHDAY boy Anik Devicha took five wickets to help Hook and Newnham Basics to victory and clinch the Southern League Division One title with a week to spare.

This was after a two-wicket home win over the only side to beat them in the final half of the season Andover.

It was the visitors who won the toss and decided to bat. After the early departure of Nathan Binks off the bowling of Shane Brewer, they recovered to pass the 100 mark.

Glyn Treagus (57) and Alex Ayers (48) looked in good form, but spin king Divecha was just about to turn the game on its head as he split the pair.

He then went on to take out the top order as from 112-2, Andover were suddenly 134-6.

This gave Hook the two points they needed to be champions, but they were not done there as Charlie Neville on his first team debut removed Richard Taylor thanks to a catch by wicket-keeper Josh Buckingham, his third of the game.

Without a run being added a Harry Robson run out removed Mike Adams, However, Matt Hooper (27) and Aidan Jansen (10) moved the score to 164, before returning opening bowler Jack Murrell took 2-51, as Andover were all out for 168.

The home side’s reply got off to the worst possible start, as a rare failure by opening pair Robson and Daniel Moore saw Hook 3-2.

However, Kieran Thomson was to prove the hero with the bat with an excellent half-century.

Along with Richard Willcock (16) they got the score past 50. Thomson was then joined by Buckingham (6), but he was dismissed thanks to a superb catch by Alex Ayers.

This meant Franklin Rhodes (30 not out) came to centre and along with Thomson they moved the score into three figures.

Thomson (52) was then the fifth man after a smart stumping by Matt Knight.

Debut boy Neville dispatched his first ball in the Southern League to the boundary, but was trapped leg before soon after by Treagus.

Jack Murrell then hit a quick fire 14, before being caught by Nathan Birks as Charlie Ayers picked up his second wicket of the game.

Andover’s Matt Hopper was then bowled, Shane Brewer making it 157-8 and still 11 short of their target.

It was left to Rhodes and Devicha to see them home and the champions started their celebrations.

A delighted Hook captain Josh Buckingham said: “It is a great win and I am really proud of all the players as we are champions with a game to spare.

“We are a very young team and most have come through the Hook junior ranks so it makes winning the title that little bit more special.”

Hook will be hoping to make it a double winning weekend today, when their B team take on Oakley in the final of the Cyril Thompson Trophy, which starts at May’s Bounty at 11am.