SOUTH Wilts seconds slipped to a second successive defeat but by the narrowest of margins at Havant seconds.

Early wickets were the visitors’ problem as they slipped to 21-3.

Skipper Tom Pearce’s defiant 51 took his side to 117-7 before Dan Wall (38) and Paul Draper (41no) helped South Wilts post a challenging 185-9.

Havant got off to a flier and, at 71-1, South Wilts were staring at a heavy defeat.

However, Draper (3-23) and Pearce (3-20) caused a collapse as 143-5 turned to 176-8.

Havant sneaked over the line for a two-wicket victory with just three balls left for a cruel defeat for the battling visitors.

South Wilts thirds bounced back after last week’s defeat with an emphatic seven-wicket win over Liss.

Tom Lewis set the wickets tumbling with 4-37 and Liss never recovered as they were bowled out for 185. Tom Bolam 2-41 and Matt Burton 2-18 added to the visitors’’ woes.

Darren Sergeant (58) struck a half-century as a 101 run opening partnership with Sam Arnold (42) saw the hosts on the way to victory. And a quickfire 43 not out from Chris Wheeler saw them cross the line. to a seven-wicket win with over eight overs to spare.

South Wilts fourths fielded possibly their youngest ever side for the long trip to Beaulieu as they cruised to a seven-wicket win inside 25 overs.