SOUTH Wilts’ seemingly comfortable 30-point lead a the top of the Southern League Premier Division has been drastically reduced to a mere 10 after they lost to Burridge by seven wickets, which has moved them up to second spot.

The Bemerton-based side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when fourth placed Bashley (Rydal) are the visitors on Saturday (11am).

Teenager pace bowler Ollie Southon blew the leadership race wide open with a fiery five-wicket new-ball spell which wrecked the South Wilts top order and laid the path for a Burridge victory at Botley Road.

The red head bowled with pace and vigour, making life uncomfortable for the visiting batsmen – his 5-20 return leading to South Wilts being dismissed for 118 and handsomely beaten by seven wickets.

Burridge therefore collected a league double over South Wilts and there is now a four-way battle for the title with the Hampshire Academy in third spot.

Southon always bowled with pace in his recent Fareham and Crofton days, but often lacked accuracy.

However, since catching the eye of Hampshire’s James Tomlinson, he has moved on, some remodelling of his action and personal hard work significantly improving his game.

Southon took five of the first six wickets to fall as South Wilts sank to 34-6 and if not for James Hibberd’s gallant 43, supported by Joe Weld (22) on his first team debut, they would have sunk below 100.

Nick McMurray (3-35) finished South Wilts off being Burridge raced to a seven-wicket victory in 15 overs.

Joe Collings-Wells blasted 11 fours in his 49 not out, while Richard Lock cleared the boundary rope once beside scoring seven other fours in his unbeaten 44.

South Wilts seconds also lost, Portsmouth and Southsea winning by 39 runs at Bemerton after posting 197.

Only Tom Pearce (27) and Rob Pittman(26) made a contribution in their disappointing reply, Pittman having earlier taken four wickets.