SPCL1 Week6 - South Wilts edge into second place

South Wilts have climbed into a challenging second place in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League after a hard earned 84-run win over Andover at London Road.

The Bemerton success was based around a half-century fifth-wicket partnership between Tom Caines and Jamie Glasson, and subsequent four-wicket hauls by Adam Smith and Paul Draper.

"That stand between Tom and Jamie really won us the game," said South Wilts skipper Rob Wade. "It wasn't an easy track to bat on - in fact, it was downright poor - with some balls keeping low and others popping.

"And those two really worked hard to get us into a winning position."

Russell Rowe (28), showing signs of a return to form, and Wade (22) helped South Wilts to 80-4 before Caines (40) and Glasson (40) added a precious 58 to steer South Wilts towards 184-8 off the full 66 overs.

Andover began brightly through Mark Miller (25) and Steve Williams, but when the pair were respectively trapped leg before, the wickets began to tumble.

Double breakthroughs by Adie Holewell (2-29) and Draper had Andover wobbling at 62-4 before Toby Radford (18) was bowled trying to pull a delivery which pitched and shot along the ground.

Draper (4-18) went on to claim another scalp before Smith (4-4) cashed in by taking Andover's last four wickets for two runs. They were 100 all out.

Champions Havant were frustrated as Liphook & Ripsley captain Jez Bulled batted out for a draw at Ripsley Park.

The recently appointed skipper hit an undefeated 57 as Liphook held on at 147-8, in reply to Havant's 224 all out.

Havant exile David Wade (3-36), relishing the opportunity to take the new ball against his former club mates, had the title holders in a fix at 17-3, with Steve Snell, Dominic Carson and Richard Hindley all quickly back in the pavilion.

But Luke Sears (66) and Simon Barnard (85) shared a near century stand to tilt the balance in Havant's favour.

Liphook old boy Chris Wright (27) chipped in before Tim Wheatley (5-54), who removed Barnard, took three late scalps to reduce Havant to 224 all out.

Bulled and Steve Riley (26) took Liphook's reply to 94-2, but Havant maintained a typically mean line, with Phil Loat and Hindley complimenting Australian off-spinner Matt Cox, who finished with 4-46 as Liphook played out time at 147-8.