SOUTH Wilts produced a stirring fight back against Hampshire Academy to gain some pride in a game they had struggled in for large periods. However, the defeat leaves them sat precariously in eighth position in the table.

On a hard flat Rose Bowl Nursery ground surface, the Salisbury side won the toss and opted to bat.

The well-disciplined Academy bowlers bowled accurately but the menace was more in the South Wilts batsmen's lack of confidence than anything else. Paul Draper and Tom Morton both reached 20s while Eddie Abel batted well for a tidy 40.

However, despite plenty of batsmen making good starts, none registered a half-century.

Andy Hayward, 37, and skipper Rob Wade, 18, brought some late impetus to the innings, but as wickets started to fall, a familiar batting tale unfolded. A tidy knock by Jat Mistry took South Wilts to 190 all out with Roy Cockram, 4-32, and Chris Wood, 4-34, taking the bowling honours for the hosts.

Wade was disappointed at the break: "I thought that was a 250 wicket so we were well short. We just don't seem to be able to get any momentum with our batting and we are finding some interesting ways of getting ourselves out!"

South Wilts needed early wickets to create any pressure but the Academy pair of Kevan Latouf and Benny Howell looked assured and after a slow start, began to take control.

With the ball disappearing frequently to the boundary, it looked like the game might be shorter than imagined.

James Hayward bowled Latouf, 29, with his first ball, but by this time Howell had gone effortlessly past 50.

When Hayward, 2-34, caught and bowled Howell for 76, South Wilts were looking for some late bonus points. Chippenham's James Vince joined Tim Ravenscroft and although the runs slowed, they looked in little difficulty.

With 26 needed off 11 overs with eight wickets in hand, the Academy victory seemed a formality but South Wilts suddenly gained the upper hand.

The return of Adie Holewell induced a false stroke by Ravenscroft, 47, and then Holewell, 3-34, whipped out Vince and Cockram with successive balls.

With Wade bowling a tight line from the other end, the runs had dried up, planting some unceertainty into the minds of young Academy players, Riazuddin and Wood and both fell to Wade, 2-22, thanks to sharp catches by Abel and Draper.

However, the target had been virtually achieved and the Academy sneaked home with eight balls to spare.

Wade was once again in reflective mood after the match: "We always say with the Academy that if you can actually get a few early wickets, you can get into the kids.

"Unfortunately they had too many runs by the time we did that.

"We showed plenty of character and determination with our outfield display, but ultimately we just didn't get enough runs."

Portsmouth's win over Alton has given them an outside chance of overhauling Hursley Park at the bottom.

South Wilts need one win to be absolutely certain of avoiding the drop, while at the top, Totton & Eling lost to Bashley, to give Havant an unexpected boost in their title chase.

South Wilts face Alton at home on Saturday and will be hoping to repeat their win from earlier in the season.

10:18am Thursday 16th August 2007

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