With the season only at the halfway mark, it’s not a ‘must win’ affair for South Wilts, but there’s little doubt the outcome of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with leaders Bashley (Rydal) at Bemerton (11am) will have a significant bearing on the outcome of the ECB Southern Premier League title.
With six wins under their belts from nine matches, South Wilts effectively trail the New Forest club by 13 points in what is already shaping up to be a two-horse race for the title.
“It’s a key game, there’s no doubt about that,” said South Wilts skipper Ben Draper, who is still suffering from a broken finger and will again play in only a batting role against Bashley.
“They’ve done really well in all-day ‘time’ cricket, winning all four games so far, but I’m really pleased with the way we’ve shaped up.
“It will be fantastic if we can win on Saturday. Whatever happens, it has the makings of a cracking game.”
South Wilts warmed up for the Bashley match with a seven-wicket win over an inexperienced Hampshire Academy who fielded only five of the side that began the season on such a positive note.
Talented left-hand opener Finn Gordon (61) caught the eye but when he became a fifth victim of Rob Pittman (5-39), the Academy wobbled at 123-6 (Sam Ashman 25).
It needed Teddington based Sam Davis to weigh in with 41 and get the Academy score up to 180. Tom Pearce followed up his 6-18 return against Havant by taking 3-16, the last three wickets.
James Degg (29) got South Wilts off to a sound start, leaving Tom Cheater (49) and Harry Broderick (45) - both past Academy players - to pick off the target. Pearce finished 27 not out.
South Wilts seconds slipped to within two points of the Division 3 relegation zone after being on the receiving end of a 355-run mauling at Sparsholt. South Wilts did at least make a creditable 272-7 in reply, Connor Bain hitting 83 and Max Cordle 51 not out.
Teenager Alec Evans slaps one of his numerous boundaries during his career-best 143 not out for South Wilts fourths against Farley II - but he wasn’t able to celebrate a victory at the end of a run strewn Hampshire League North West Division 5 derby.
He hit five sixes and 14 fours and shared significant partnerships with veteran Russell Rowe (51) and Tommy Bray (51) as South Wilts piled up 284-2 off 40 overs.
But with Harry Jenkins plundering an unbeaten 164 (33 fours and two sixes), Farley won by eight wickets with eight overs to spare. Tom Pugh hit 59 not out.
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