A FRUSTRATING afternoon for South Wilts seconds ended in defeat at Gosport.

After winning the toss on a dry, tired wicket, things started nicely at 30-0 for the visitors.

But wickets tumbled quickly in a frenetic eight over period which saw South Wilts slip to 50-5.

Some poor shot selection was to be the undoing of South Wilts. A minor recovery was led by Luke Hansford (34) but, when he departed, the seconds were bowled out for 133 in the 42nd over.

While this was below par, there was just a feel that with the wicket now starting to play up, a victory was not out of the question. However, the hosts targeted the new ball, possibly with one eye on the slow bowling that was to follow.

They raced to 50-0 but when the breakthrough was made, things became harder.

Paul Draper’s three wickets gave the visitors hope at 100-4 and when that became 110-5, it became tight. Runs dried up, Gosport dealing in mainly singles, but they were to get home without further loss.

A difficult day was complete, the disappointment mildly softened by the fact second-placed Trojans were also defeated.