South Wilts have clawed themselves out of the immediate ECB Southern Premier League danger zone after gleaning 17 points from a high-scoring draw against fellow strugglers Bournemouth at Chapel Gate.
They posted 272-5 in response to Bournemouth's 290-8 to edge 13 points clear of Basingstoke & North Hants, who dropped to the bottom after suffering a five-wicket defeat at Alton.
With one round of 'time pennant' matches left - South Wilts host Premier leaders St Cross Symondians at Bemerton (11am) - they have bagged 123 points compared with Bournemouth's 113.
South Wilts' remaining 50-over 'white ball' games are against Burridge, Basingstoke & North Hants, Lymington and the Hampshire Academy.
Thirteen wickets fell for 562 runs on an improved Chapel Gate surface, where Namibian Shaun Fouche top-scored with 80 in Bournemouth's 290-8 (58 overs), Tom Grant and James Degg sharing six of the Lions' scalps.
Harry Broderick (64) and Ben Draper (42) fired the South Wilts response, while Tom Cheater caught the eye with a superb 83 not out, which included five sixes.
Left-arm spinner Conor Smith took 3-70.
South Wilts made their 272-5 off 52 overs to take the 'winning' draw.
