SOUTH Wilts’ slim hopes of pipping Havant to the Southern Electric League title were dashed last Saturday when they fell to defeat at home to a Hampshire Academy side in their penultimate league match of the 2009 season.

Hampshire Academy skipper Benny Howell won the toss, opted to bat first and, aided by some surprisingly loose bowling, got off to a flying start.

South African Matt Kleinveldt was particularly impressive and latched on to any width given to him by South Wilts openers Hibberd and Webb.

The introduction of Tom Morton and Rob Wade into the attack brought the run rate down. Wade in particular bowled an immaculate line and length and he managed to make the breakthrough by nipping one through the defences of Michael Bates to clean bowl him with the score on 78.

Kleinveldt continued his impressive progress with captain Howell until spin twins James Hayward and Eddie Abel came into the attack.

Kleinveldt (63) holed out to Rob Pittman at long off to give Hayward a wicket.

Hamza Riazzuddin was next to go as he fell for 15 after getting a leading edge to Hibberd off Abel at 175.

Hayward (10-0-36-1) and Abel (10-0-33-1) finished their spells off and Rob Pittman finally ended Howell’s innings when he dragged the ball onto his stumps for 61. A late flurry of runs and wickets left the score on 230-7 off 50 overs – James Hibberd picking up the final two wickets to fall.

In reply, South Wilts got a good start thanks to Tom Morton and Eddie Abel.

Morton dragged a ball from Jake Lilley onto his stumps and, after one sweetly timed boundary, Rob Wade then drove loosely at the same bowler to be caught.

At 37-2, the Academy were on top and, although Eddie Abel looked in terrific touch, he was the one quality batting performance in the South Wilts effort.

Abel was eventually bowled by Benny Howell for 47 and then Rob Pittman was caught behind off Kleinveldt to leave South Wilts struggling at 82-4.

South Wilts’ hopes were resting firmly on James Hayward and James Hibberd, but, after a promising start signs both fell and the home side’s chances of victory ended there.

Hibberd played too early to Kleinveldt and a leading edge saw him depart for 18 and then Hayward holed out to long on for 22.

When Ben Upton was bowled by Danny Briggs, South Wilts had slumped to 116-7.

Tom Pearce (19) and Sam Pittman (14) batted sensibly to use up the overs and grab a couple of bonus points but South Wilts finished their 50 overs well short on 154-9.

Havant’s win over Bashley saw them crowned champions for the third successive season but Bournemouth’s defeat at home to bottom club Andover means South Wilts still sit in second place with one game remaining.