BIG-HITTING Australian Glenn Maxwell has more to his bow than being an awesome six-smashing IPL style batsman.

The Victorian all-rounder underlined his off-spin bowling credentials with a stunning spell of 7-38 as South Wilts strengthened their hold on the ECB Southern Electric Premier League leadership with a tense eight-run win at Havant.

Maxwell bowled South Wilts to a victory that looked improbable at lunch.

Put in to bat on a bowler friendly Havant Park surface, South Wilts were on their knees at 87-7 against the defending Premier Division champions.

But, led by teenager Jack Mynott (23) and Rob Franklin, whose unbeaten 40 gave South Wilts a total to defend, the visitors inched their way out of trouble to post 158.

Jez Ord (3-41), bowling impeccably with the new ball, and Ben Walker (3-33) cut deep into the South Wilts top order.

Tom Morton and Owen Alsop were both caught behind and, after a five-boundary 20, Maxwell became a second victim for Ord.

Eddie Abel (15) held up Havant’s progress, while James Hayward (23) and James Hibberd (20) added handy runs before Richard Hindley (3-32) joined the attack to reduce the visitors to 87-7.

Every run was vital in the intriguing battle between bat and ball – the outcome of the match involving two Premier ‘heavyweights’ certain to be a major pointer in the on-going struggle for the honours.

The 48-run partnership between Mynott and Franklin turned the tide, leaving Havant an awkward target to chase.

The title holders progressed to 21-0, but lost Walker (13) and Stuart Ransley (0) in quick succession to the medium-pace of Alsop (2-17).

Maxwell’s introduction to the South Wilts attack proved pivotal. The Australian removed Hindley (5), Pete Hopson (26) and Chris Morgan, bowled for a duck, to put Havant firmly on the back foot at 53-5.

Former Staffordshire run-getter Steve Dean used all his experience to keep Havant in the contest and his sixth-wicket stand with Jez Bulled (16) almost doubled the score to 102, when Steve Warner (1-16) broke through.

It was Dean versus South Wilts after that – the hard-hitting one-time Walsall batsman cracking 13 boundaries to remain undefeated with 66 at the end.

But Maxwell gradually picked his way through the Havant lower order, taking the last four wickets to finish with 7-38 and dismiss the champions for 150.

*South Wilts will host Welsh cricket champions Sully Centurions in the ECB Kingfisher Cup national club championship group final at Bemerton on Sunday, 1pm.

Sully won their zone semi-final against Panteg on a bowl out after the original match was abandoned after 31 overs.

Visitors to Centurions’ seaside ground on Barry Island, Panteg were 126-6 when play was abandoned due to rain.

All five Panteg bowlers missed the stumps with both their balls, but Sully struck the wickets straight away and got the ticket to visit the Southern Electric Premier League leaders at the weekend.

*South Wilts are holding a sportsman’s dinner in their new pavilion on Friday. June 22.

The event proved a huge success last year when former Hampshire and England bowler Shaun Udal was the star speaker.

The evening involves a two-course meal and access to the licensed bar and is open to members and non-members.

Guest speaker is Peter Bowler. The former Derbyshire and Somerset opening batsman is a renowned after dinner speaker on the sporting circuit.

The event will be compered by comedian Jed Stone.

If you would like to put a table together or just book yourself a place, please contact Paul Draper on dribblydrapes@aol.com or 07825 334701.

Tickets (priced at £40) are limited and will be reserved on a first come first served basis. The event starts at 7.30pm.

*The club will be holding cricket courses during the school summer holidays. The courses are open to both club members and non-members aged 6 -14.

All courses will take place at Salisbury and South Wilts Sports Club, Skew Bridge, Wilton Road.

For further information contact Robert Wade on 07799 627861 or email robert.wade@chartltd.co.uk