SKIPPER Rob Pittman hit a blistering 124 as South Wilts’ newly-promoted second team went on a 393-run frenzy against relegated Hartley Wintney in their Southern Premier League, Division 2 debut at Lower Bemerton.

Pittman cracked four sixes and 14 fours in his century as Hartley Wintney wilted in the Wilton Road sun, writes Mike Vimpany.

They were under the cosh long before Pittman’s blitz began – Owain Phillips (71) and Tom Cowley (23) having 90 runs on the board after only ten overs.

Sixty of Phillips’s 71 runs came in boundaries – two sixes and 12 fours – after which little Ben Draper (34) made a tidy contribution.

But the real mayhem began when Pittman was joined by teenager Sam Arnold in a right/left hand combination – the pair peppering the Bemerton boundary, Arnold scoring 85 off 60 balls, including a six and ten fours.

Tom Pearce biffed a quick 27 before South Wilts’ shut up shop at a team SPL record 393-4.

Hartley Wintney had 40 on the board in six overs, but once Tasmanian Tommy Garwood (23) fell, wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

Dan Plume (35) batted nicely but Christian Pain (4-30) and Rob Pittman (3-25) went on to bowl the visitors out for 132 to give South Wilts a memorable 261-run win.

Meanwhile, the thirds played host to East Woodhay where they slumped to defeat.

Steve Kidd was South Wilts' stand-out performer with 129 not out. 

"There is definitely some hard work to be done on our bowling, catching  and fielding. But what a great knock by Kiddo today with his parents up  from Devon watching" commented defeated captain Jody Everett. Well played East Woodhay. Let's make sure we get better for the next match."

South Wilts fourths began their Hampshire League Regional 2 West campaign with an emphatic win at Kings Park Bournemouth, the home of Parley 3rds.

South Wilts fielded a side featuring seven Under-17s and posted 230-8  from their 42 overs with lots of handy contributions throughout the  innings.