FORMER Basingstoke player Julian Wood returned to May's Bounty on Sunday but his team Falkland were five-wickets losers.

Victory has earned Basingstoke a home tie in the national club championship third round on May 26 against Southern premier division two side Hungerford.

Left-hander Wood opened the batting for Falkland but was quickly back in the pavilion after being bowled by Keith Harsham to leave the Newbury side on 19-1.

Third pair Morris (25) and Gowland (41) engineered the best Falkland partnership of 37 which was broken by the bowling of Jon Govett, who was the pick of the bowlers with 4-21 from eight overs.

He and Ray Pavesi (3-27) polished off the tail.

Thereafter wickets fell steadily as the visitors were dismissed for 121 in 44 overs.

Basingstoke lost captain Lee Nurse and Russel Droy with just nine scored, both falling to the bowling of Wood. Ian Maynard took up the challenge, scoring 57 before he became the third of Wood's four victims.

Maynard shared a stand of 72 with Ross Hunter, who remained unbeaten on 24. Pavesi turned in another excellent all-round performance, making 24 with the bat before victory was achieved after 34 overs.

The Basingstoke second team made a disappointing start after promotion to the top flight of the Thames Valley League.

Danny Bent's team found were found wanting in reply to visitors Marlow Park's 269-4. The wickets were shared around as all five Marlow Park batsmen made runs.

West of England under-16 player Mitchell Stokes top-scored for the home side with 24 before they were shot out for just 109, giving Marlow Park victory by 160 runs.

On Sunday, Basingstoke made a victorious start in their first-ever Three Counties League match. At home to Aldershot, they ran up 233-5 with Phil Harris top-scoring with an unbeaten 47 after Andy Giles made 44 at the top of the order.

John Vinn was the most successful home bowler, returning 3-37 from six overs.