THERE is no end in sight to Old Basing's miserable start to the Hampshire League cricket season.

On Saturday, the relegated side were asked to bat first on a slow, damp wicket at home to Fareham and Crofton in county division one, where they have yet to record a victory.

The home side struggle to 115 all out with Fareham bowler Light claiming six of the Old Basing scalps. Richard Dane top-scored for Old Basing with 33.

Basingstoke's third team were set to chase 238 for victory but fell 52 runs short. Richard Vinn scored his first half-century in county division one while Bill Blake made 48 at the top of the order.

Whitchurch were dismissed for just 80 inside 33 overs, batting second at home to Hambledon in county division two.

The visitors batted out their full allocation of 45 overs, making 139-8 with home skipper Ahmed Bawa, Rick Martin and Rob Osmond each taking two wickets.

In reply, only two Whitchurch batsmen managed double figures as Hambledon's opening bowlers shared seven wickets.

Hook and Newnham Basics II were all out for just 54 in reply to 148-7 from home side Fair Oak in county division three.

Oakley enjoyed a good day in county division four. Batting first at home to Midhurst, they rattled up 244-8 with Chris Littleboy leading the charge with 87. Earlier Tom Harris made 46.

A good all-round bowling display saw the visitors all out for 154, with Peter Harris taking 3-29.

Another side bowled out for a low total were Rotherwick in east division one. They made 106 in reply to home side Emsworth's 234-4.

Basingstoke IV struggled throughout their east division two match at Easebourne, where the home side ran up 211-1 and the visitors fell 70 runs short, despite a splendid start from openers John Vinn (50) and Graham Steers (46).

Sherfield-on-Loddon were six-wicket winners at previously unbeaten Portsmouth IV in east division three.

A fourth-wicket stand of 86 between Jeremy Smith and Dave Fuller set up the win with Smith remaining unbeaten on 69 and sharing an unbroken stand of 51 with Dan Rowe.

Sherfield won with a full over to spare.

Graham Hooper (5-21) and Neil Payne (3-23) bowled ITW to a 54-run victory at home to Kingsclere II in Hampshire Combination north division.

Hook III were three-wicket winners at home to Ramsdell II, getting home with three balls to spare.

Dave Monger of Ramsdell had a good match with 23 runs in a visiting total of 143-7 and then taking 4-31 with the ball.