SOUTH Wilts thrived on a century opening partnership, a tenth-wicket rally and a four-wicket haul by off-spinner Rob Franklin, as they nailed Ventnor by 100 runs in the top versus bottom ECB Southern Electric Premier Division affair at Bemerton.

Tom Morton (68) and Eddie Abel (54) shared a 115-run start by South Wilts, which Jack Mynott (25) subsequently improved, but the promising beginning slipped away as the triple Premier Division champions dipped to 170-6.

James Hibberd (35) responded, but as Ventnor’s bowlers chipped away – Rob Snell returned 3-51 – it was left to the South Wilts lower order to show their prowess and post a commanding 272.

Franklin, Jake Foley, Steve Warner and Luke Evans (21) did their duty and effectively put the game to bed.

“It was good stuff at the end. These guys are all capable batsmen and I was confident they’d step up to the plate,” captain Morton said.

Hibberd struck an early blow by removing opener Tom Friend, leaving Henry Bartlett (56) to hold the Ventnor reply together as South Wilts made regular inroads.

Evans and Warner each took two wickets and, although four of Ventnor’s last five reached double figures, it was Franklin’s 4-26 return that closed the innings at 172, exactly 100 in arrears.

It was South Wilts’ 10th win in 12 games and, with Havant held to a high scoring draw by St Cross Symondians, extends the Bemerton club’s lead to 14 points.

Havant visit Bemerton on Saturday, August 1 for a match which could decide the title.