SOUTH Wilts performed an amazing Houdini-style escape act to pull-off an improbable 110-run victory over previously unbeaten ECB Southern Premier Division leaders Burridge at Botley Road.

The four-times champions were reeling at 118-9 when last pair Rob Franklin and Luke Evans came together to add 85 for the tenth wicket and steer South Wilts to a winning 203 all out.

Shellshocked Burridge collapsed from 65-1 to 92 out and a thumping defeat that seemed out of the question at lunchtime.

Teenage South Australia prospect Jake Winter produced a workmanlike 40 at the top of the order for South Wilts, but a procession of his teammates made starts and got out.

“The damp conditions suited the seam bowlers and there was always a time during the morning session when you received a ball that had your name on it and you were on your way,” said South Wilts skipper James Hayward.

“They exploited the conditions well, but as we proved against Havant last week (when we recovered from 101-8 to make 188) everyone in our team is more than capable of scoring runs.

“Rob and Luke are far better batsmen than 9s and 11s and would be far higher in the order in a lot of other sides.”

The lean and lanky Nick McMurray (4-59), who sent down 25 consecutive overs, Dan Stancliffe (2-46) and Sully White (3-23) created significant inroads for Burridge, whose grip on the game was gradually wrested away by Franklin (49 not out) and Evans (34).

“Once we got past 150 I felt we were safe and directly we’d posted 200 I was confident we would win,” Hayward added.

“The last wicket partnership was terrific in the circumstances. Rob and Luke were under a lot of pressure at the start of it and match winners later.”

The five changes that Burridge were forced to make from their early season winning unit proved crucial, and left their top order brittle.

They lost Dan Hewitt early on, but Channel Islander Ben Fitchet (34) and Joe Collings-Wells (16) carried out instant repairs to take the reply to 65-1.

But when JCW became the first of four wickets for Steve Warner (4-31), Burridge folded like a pack of cards.

Their last eight wickets fell for a meagre 18 runs and the innings to 92 all out.