SOUTH Wilts Cricket Club set aside this season's struggles and produced a stunning performance in the Jack Wilcox Wiltshire Knockout to be crowned county 20/20 champions.

The competition takes place annually between the top four sides in Wiltshire.

South Wilts, winners in 2005 and runners-up in 2006 to this year's hosts Corsham, joined their old rivals as well as Trowbridge and Westbury for a lively Sunday of cricket and music.

South Wilts played a strong Westbury in the semi-final, a two-wicket win setting up a repeat of the previous two finals, with Corsham winning the toss and opting to bat.

South Wilts struck early blows as Beetham had Shillaker caught behind by Sam Pittman without scoring and Fouhy bowled the dangerous Hankins for a duck.

However, Marinus Heyns sent the Corsham faithful into raptures as he hit five fours and three sixes in a stunning 48.

Tom Morton bowled a superb spell to stem the runs, his four overs costing just nine runs.

South Wilts began their chase in belligerent fashion, Hayward falling in the sixth over for 29 off 21 balls. Abel, 22, and Webb, 36, kept South Wilts in the hunt but coming into the final stretch they were behind the run rate.

Needing 36 off the last 3 overs, Rob Wade made 29 off 21 balls before departing.

Enter Roger Fouhy looking for 15 runs off five balls.

He produced the innings of his life, smashing his first ball into the road for six then repeating the trick to bring the scores level.

South Wilts needed one run to win but Fouhy was in no mood to be messed with and despatched it to the boundary to finish with 17 not out off four balls.

Skipper Rob Wade said: "What an effort by Rog. I've known him for three years and I'd never seen him hit the ball off the square!"

South Wilts will host the competition in 2008.

1:25pm Thursday 6th September 2007

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