IT’S been unique in recent seasons for South Wilts to go a whole calendar month without winning but, after a weather affected mid-season and a loss to Bashley (Rydal), the four-time ECB Southern Premier League champions are back in the zone.

A comfortable 25-run win over season-long cellar dwellers Ventnor has rekindled South Wilts’ previously rain dampened spirits and they’ll go to the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground on Saturday (11.30am) geared up for their title frames.

Unlike in previous seasons when Havant and South Wilts have largely had things to themselves, four clubs look set to be involved in a fascinating title tussle.

Burridge, almost relegated last season, are back on top and Bashley – who ended South Wilts’ unbeaten run in late June – are very much in the thick of things in third place.

Skipper James Hayward lavished Ventnor for their ‘positive, no fear’ attitude after South Wilts’ rekindled their spluttering championship drive with a closer than anticipated 25-run win over the islanders at Bemerton.

Hayward’s champions were expected to steamroller Ventnor, who had lost all previous seven matches and regard relegation as a forgone conclusion.

“But it didn’t turn out quite like that,” said Hayward, who kept the game open after South Wilts had posted a decent 274-5.

“We didn’t want them losing early wickets – which they did – and blocking it out, so we kept the game open and when Alex Glendenning, their Aussie, and Rob Snell were together they were very much in the game.”

The Ventnor pair certainly put bat to ball during their 154-run stand, which began after James Hibberd (4-31) had reduced the visitors to 12-2.

Between them they smashed ten sixes and 21 fours – and at 164-2 were in the driving seat, with Glendenning (90) and Snell (71) giving their side a sniff of unexpected success.

But when Stephen Booth (4-59) trapped the Sydney all-rounder leg before, Ventnor’s challenge subsided.

Snell battled on with support from Mark Holmes (29) and Ross Whyte (25), but Booth and Hibberd went on to take four wickets each and Ventnor slide to a creditable 249 all out.

Earlier, Jack Mynott (79) produced a good pre-lunch knock, while Joe Cranch (69) illuminated the afternoon session with a boundary-strewn stay at the crease.

Rob Franklin (36) and Hibberd (25) plundered quick runs to set up the declaration at 274-5.

Hayward had a special word for Joe Cranch, who so often plays key roles in games without receiving the recognition he perhaps deserves.

“Joe’s played some very important knocks, one against Havant when we were in the mire, comes to mind.

“Against Ventnor, he was able to go out and play his shots which he did admirably, hitting ten boundaries.

“He’s never got a Premier Division 100, but I’m sure one’s not too far away,” Hayward added.