AFTER the loss of their first pre-season game to the weather the previous week, South Wilts 3rds made a belated start to their campaign with a victorious visit at Steeple Langford.

The hosts struggled from the off against an accurate South Wilts bowling attack. Sam Burton (2-14) took early wickets to put the visitors on top.

Dennis and Emm with 21 each, rebuilt the innings but James Wade (3-14), two wickets each from Steve Kidd and Paul Wylie and Akram Ghauri (6 overs 1-10) never allowed SL to fully recover as they were dismissed for 116 in the 32nd over.

Russell Rowe, making his first appearance for the club for 11 years, put the home bowlers to the sword with a typically fluent 48.

The former Wiltshire skipper put on 81 for the first wicket with Henry Smith before departing lbw to the pick of the Langford attack Tom Bennett (1-7).

A wicket for Matt Dhanji and two for brother Tom was late consolation for the hosts but Smith (39no) saw South Wilts through to a six-wicket win in just 27 overs.