It’s a case of wait and hope for South Wilts, who need either defending champions St Cross Symondians or Burridge to slip in their two remaining matches if they are to make any late impact on the title race.

South Wilts remain third after beating lowly Bashley (Rydal) by 20 runs - a result that leaves them effectively 18 points behind St Cross and ten adrift of second placed Burridge.

But the top two go head-to-head in a probable championship decider at Burridge on Saturday week, September 2, the last round of fixtures.

Tom Lewis (3-28) and Archie Fairfax-Ross (3-36) bowled South Wilts to victory at Fagan Field, where Bashley worked themselves into a promising position at 177-7 chasing the visitors’ 206-8.

Josh Digby (38) and James Trodd were building on the fine earlier work of teenager Finn Gordon (59) whose half-century hinted of a promising cricket career ahead. The Clayesmore youngster is being tipped for a Hampshire Academy berth next season.

But Bashley’s last three wickets fell for nine runs and the side to 186 all out.

South Wilts were earlier indebted to skipper Ben Draper (39), who held the middle-order together after five wickets had fallen for 50 runs, James Degg (29) and Jack Mynott having provided a 54-run base.

Matt Falconer (20), Fairfax-Ross (19) and ninth-wicket pair Matt Burton and Tom Grant picked up the pieces from 104-5.