OLD BASING, who chose to bypass division three of the Southern Premier League, and drop back to the top flight of the Hampshire League, made a losing start despite a century from Richard Dane.

Visitors Lymington made an impressive 216-7 in their 48 overs and then bowled out the home side for 170.

Dane, batting first wicket down in the reply, scorched up 104 runs but only Warr of the remainder of the team got into double figures.

Leon Nurse was in the runs for Basingstoke III at home to Salisbury Wanderers. The opener made 78 in a home total of 218-9. Mckenzie and Hill then shared six wickets as Salisbury Wanderers were bowled out for 132.

Whitchurch started with an eight-wicket win at home to Penton in county division two. Ernie Treble's 4-18 from 12 overs helped restrict the visitors to 128. Williams (73) and Dancer (7) shared a half-century stand and Van Berkel was 42 not out, dominating another 50 partnership.

The derby battle in county division four ended with a seven-wickets win for Oakley over visitors Old Basing II. Peter Mardle was the home star, taking 5-19 to help bowl out Old Basing for 110 and then seeing up victory with an unbeaten 53.

Rotherwick BBR were eight-wickets winners over visitors Froxfield in east division one. Ian Cole led the bowling as Froxfield were restricted to 75-9.

Basingstoke IV were five-wickets winners at Hayling Island in east division two. James returned 4-6 as the home side were bowled out for 79.

Sherfield-on-Loddon skipper Norman House took 4-16 but his side lost by 44 runs at Bedhampton II in east division three. Chasing 153 for victory, Sherfield slumped to 26-4 before recovering, ITW were 39-run winners in Combination North. Neil Payne followed up an unbeaten 15 with the bat by returning 4-15 with the ball.