Harry Broderick was dismissed five runs shy of a maiden ECB Southern Premier League century at Havant, where South Wilts lost their last six wickets for 29 runs.
South Wilts had an outside chance of matching Havant’s 267-7 while Broderick remained at the crease but when he was trapped leg before wicket in the 44th over by left-arm spinner Chris Morgan (3-46), the visitors collapsed.
Nine overs later, a promising 175-4 became 204 all out and South Wilts had been beaten by 63 runs.
Broderick, who is having a good season back in the fold after suffering stress fracture spinal problems in 2022, struck ten fours in his season’s best score.
His fifth-wicket stand with the emerging Matt Falconer (34) raised South Wilts’ hopes, but the visitors lacked the experience to chase such a high total and eventually conceded to Richard Hindley (3-46) and Richard Jerry (3-50).
Four of Havant’s top order made half-centuries, including teenager Ben Feeney (52), who picked up the trail after Ben Walker (63) and Pete Hopson (57) had enjoyed a 129-run start.
Rob Pittman (3-59) initiated a three-wicket wobble as Havant went from 129-0 to 138-3, but that was only a brief respite for South Wilts as Feeney and Chris Stone powered on in a century post lunch partnership.
Stone hit 61 and Feeney added 116 as Havant’s score went to 267-6, Tom Grant wheeling away manfully for a 3-50 return.
Henry Smith and Tom Bolan hit half-centuries as South Wilts seconds consolidated their mid-Southern Premier Division 3 standing with a comfortable 45-run win over their Bashley (Rydal) counterparts at Bemerton.
Smith made 60 and Bolam 58, the pair sharing a useful third-wicket stand as South Wilts, with the aid of a handy 34 not out from Will Welch late on, totalled 225-9.
Simon Morris (53) responded as Bashley made 180 in reply, Smith completing a fine day with a 3-18 return with the ball.
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