BASINGSTOKE and North Hants make the trip to Slough tomorrow, seeking a first-ever win over their Berkshire rivals in the Home Counties League.

Four of the last five meetings have ended in defeat for Basingstoke. However, the last meeting of these teams in Slough produced a high-scoring draw, with the home side scoring 313-7 and Basingstoke 293-7 in reply, aided by Ian Maynard's top score of 90.

Captain Lee Nurse, the next best scorer with 60 that day, believes batting will again play a big part in tomorrow's game against last season's division one runners-up.

Nurse said: "It is a very flat batting track. I am sure, if the weather stays dry, it will be an ideal wicket to score some runs on, which we will have to do if we are going to win.

"They are a formidable team at home and contain a number of minor counties players so we know it is going to be a tough game."

The Bounty men make one change to the side that drew against Radlett last Saturday, with Nigel Williamson returning to keep wicket.

Nurse will decide his batting line-up on the day as his middle order have yet to sparkle.

Against Radlett, Dean Nurse was moved down the order and responded with a fine 60, the second highest score of the innings.

Nurse is happier with his bowling attack. He said: "Charl (Willoughby) and Jon (Govett) should have a more responsive pitch at Slough to work with and Scott (Dyer) is bowling well at the moment."

Last Saturday, in Thames Valley League division one, Basingstoke II were beaten at Thatcham by nine wickets.

The visitors were bowled out for 104 in 37 overs and the home side took just 14.5 overs to knock off the necessary runs for victory.

In division 7a, Basingstoke V lost by 11 runs at Eversley III.

The visitors, chasing 160 for victory, were going well at 111-2, but then collapsed to 148 all out. Rowan Simpson top scored with 49. In the Eversley innings of 159, Ken Goddard was the top Basingstoke bowler with 5-22.