CHARL Willoughby showed Basingstoke and North Hants just what they have been missing by taking 6-29 to lead his side to their first league win of the season.

The visiting Henley batsmen simply couldn't cope with the left-arm South African's red-hot display in a match at May's Bounty dominated by the bowlers.

Captain Willoughby, back for six weeks before he joins up with his country's Test team on their England tour, was aided by Jon Govett, who took 3-11, as Henley were bowled out in just over 100 minutes for 54 in only 25.2 overs.

Yet it had looked as though Basingstoke would be the ones to struggle in this top-flight Home Counties League encounter.

Batting first, their top five batsmen were skittled out for a mere 23 runs.

Waqar Ahmed took the first three batsmen with some fine swing bowling which he continued throughout the innings to end up with a superb 7-40 from 14.4 overs.

Basingstoke's Scott Dyer (34) and Govett (29) steadied the ship to enable the home side to reach 103 from 32.4 overs. Willoughby's excellent day followed another six-wicket haul in his first game back on Thursday.

His effort against visiting Sudbury helped Basingstoke to a comfortable win in the Bertie Joel Cup, of which they are past winners.

Basingstoke chairman Keith Harris described Saturday's match as "a bit unusual."

He added: "It was a day for left-arm bowlers - and they were two very good ones!

"We could have batted better as it was only Scott, who batted really well, and Jon who got runs.

"Considering the situation we were in, they did very well. And then Charl was brilliant. He got the early wickets we needed.

"It's nice to have our first league win and it will give us confidence. We have been playing well in the cups and haven't been far away in our other league games.

"We've had three wins this week, so let's hope we can keep it going."