SOUTH Wilts skipper James Hayward has lauded the run scoring exploits of his tail-end batsmen, but wants his top four to start making more positive contributions – himself included.

The past two Southern Premier Division matches have seen remarkable rescue acts by South Wilts’ lower-order.

Steve Booth and Steve Warner provided the ninth-wicket gallantry with a stand of 88 which almost swung the drawn match with Havant in South Wilts’ favour.

And at Burridge it was the two SW last men standing, Rob Franklin and Luke Evans, who turned the match on its head by taking the champions from 118-9 to 203 all out and a totally unexpected 110-run victory.

“It underlines the depth we have in our batting – Rob and Luke, for instance, are very capable batsmen who would be much higher up the order in most other sides,” Hayward said.

“But the top order need to start making some runs as well – Jack Mynott and Jake Winter are the only two to have made 50s so far.

“Joe Cranch has played several key middle-order knocks, but there are a lot of runs to be made by the top guys, me included!”

Hayward believes there are factors behind South Wilts’ lack of runs this season.

“We didn’t get a pre-season due to the wet weather and we’ve not played any Sunday cricket due to teams crying off against us in the national.

“And because its been damp the tracks haven’t really been that dry to cultivate run scoring.

“That’s not a criticism of the groundsmen, who do a fantastic job, but due to the weather we’ve been experiencing,” he added.

Havant face some tough action this weekend, with in-form Alton visiting Bemerton for a Time pennant match on Saturday (11.30) and South Wilts going to Havant for their ECB Royal London Cup group final on Sunday, 1pm.

“Alton have been a bit of a bogey side for us in the past and have won three games on the spin,” Hayward warned.

“And for us to be making our first appearance of the season in the ‘national’ on Sunday is plain crazy.

“To have reached the last 64 in the country without playing a single game is grossly unsatisfactory, but what can you do about it when teams pull out of ties on Sunday morning ?

“That’s been another reason for our poor batting form – a lack of Sunday cricket.”