Harry Broderick and later James Degg starred as a new look South Wilts retrieved an uneasy situation to open their ECB Southern Premier League challenge with a 14-run win over Bournemouth at Bemerton.

Defending 204, South Wilts were looking second best when Tasmanian Tom Willoughby guided Bournemouth’s reply to 160-2 with seven of the 50 overs remaining.

But when the left-hander fell for an attractive 91, Bournemouth lost their way – and six more wickets - scoring only 31 more runs, finishing 191-8 and reflecting ruefully on the 34 extras (26 of them wides) they gifted their hosts.

Skipper Ben Draper was delighted with the result. “It’s so important to win your first match, especially in our case with so many new players. I’m really looking forward to working with them this summer.”

Tom Morton and James Hayward are now in semi-retirement – although both plan to play in this Saturday’s second team match against Gosport Borough at Wilton Road – Arthur Godsal is playing in Middlesex and Josh Croom in the Birmingham League.

South Wilts lost their top three relatively cheaply - Oli Beckon (3-32) dismissing Degg and Peter Rowe with the new ball – but without lead bowler Dan Conway, Bournemouth’s bowling lacked accuracy, Cole Rushworth (3-54) struggling with his line.

It took the pressure off and allowed South Wilts to build from 61-3 – Broderick, one of four newcomers in the Bemerton ranks, underlining his talent in a stand of 72 with Ben Draper (30) which more than doubled the total.

Broderick, who suffered a back stress fracture last season and is currently unable to bowl, struck ten boundaries in an elegant 66 but, when he fell at 160-5, South Wilts lost four quick wickets – Willoughby (3-26) cashing in with his left-arm spin.

South Wilts were indebted to last pair Matt Burton and Tom Lewis, who squeezed out 19 precious runs to lift the final score to 204, five overs being left unused.

Luke Webb (26) and Willoughby got Bournemouth off to a comfortable 77-run start, the Tasmanian then enjoying another fruitful partnership with Nick Park (23), whose batting movements were restricted by an on-going hip problem.

Willoughby ended the 2022 season with Bournemouth in a rich vein of form, scoring over 260 in his last three knocks, and whilst he remained at the crease, an away win looked probable.

He struck one booming six over extra-cover – unquestionably the shot of the day – but at 160 offered a return catch to leg spinner Mo Rizvi, who has arrived at Wilton Road from Welwyn Garden City.

It was a game changer. Six wickets fell for 31 runs as Bournemouth struggled to keep pace, Solent University’s James Degg weighing in with a 4-28 return which won the game for South Wilts.