SOUTH Wilts made an immediate exit from the ECB Royal London national club championship after losing early wickets to Goatacre and ultimately losing comfortably to the newly promoted West of England Premier Division club.

They never recovered after losing three wickets for only nine runs at Bemerton and were unable to defend a modest 144, which Goatacre polished off with eight overs to spare.

Josh Langley (3-19) did the new-ball damage for Goatacre, who were making their debut in the 40-over a side ECB Championship.

Tom Morton, Tom Cowley and Ben Draper all perished early on, leaving James Hayward (30) and Will Wade (16) with the rebuild task.

Joe Cranch (19), Steve Riddell (13) and Rob Pittman (24) made contributions before Jack Haines (4-19) wrapped up the innings.

Haines (56) was equally prominent with the bat, sharing the batting spoils with Oli Jones (53 not out) as Goatacre cruised to a seven-wicket win.

Teenager James Wade took two of the three Goatacre wickets.

Hursley Park, facing up to a summer of Hampshire League County Division One cricket, were beaten by three wickets by South Wilts II at Bemerton, where a half-century by Lee Wateridge (55) propped up their 139.

Tom Pearce carried on his good work with the ball – he took 3-14 – by making a decisive 24 not out as SW got over the line. Will Flynn took 3-24.

On Saturday, South Wilts beat St Cross Symondians

South Wilts won the toss and skipper James Hibberd asked St Cross to bat first and despite a fine 67 from Tom Foyle they could only muster a meagre 149.

The bowling stars for South Wilts were the pair promoted from the successful third XI, Akram Ghauri and Ben Fisher who each took three wickets.

In reply Owain Phillips 17 and Luke Evans 15 made a solid start, but then three wickets fell cheaply to give St Cross hope.

The innings was built around a typically aggressive 40 from James Hayward.

Just when it could have got tricky for South Wilts Luke Hansford 36 not out and Ryan Murray 17 not out finished the game in style. They only needed singles, but Murray hit a couple of trademark sixes to see South Wilts home at a canter.