SOUTH Wilts are two wins away from a September date at the KIA Oval in front of the Sky Sports television cameras after winning the Southern Electric twenty20 Cup under the Ageas Bowl floodlights.

South Wilts comfortably beat Burridge by 72 runs in a one-sided final last week – meaning they have qualified for the ECB national championships, writes Mike Vimpany.

But standing in their path to a much envied day at one of the country’s major Test Match venues are Wimbledon, the reigning national t20 champions.

South Wilts now face a near-200- mile trek to Beckenham in North Kent on August 11 to face Wimbledon in the South semifinals.

The SW19-based club has won the Ryman Surrey Championship for the past two seasons and include former Hampshire batsman Chris Benham in their side.

If they win, they will play either Blackheath or Horsham for a place in the ECB final, which Bournemouth won in 2009.

“It’s not an ideal draw. I remember watching Wimbledon win the ECB t20 on Sky last season and remarked what a good side they looked,” said South Wilts skipper James Hayward.

“But, if we’re going to progress and go on and win it, we will have to beat teams like Wimbledon.”

Hayward was the star turn of South Wilts’ first Southern Electric t20 Cup win since 2006, cracking an extraordinary 130 as Burridge reeled under a 233-run blitz.

The South Wilts captain simply destroyed the bowling, making full use of the short leg-side boundary with a blistering attack.

Derek Kenway, the former Hampshire cricketer, bowled off two paces – and was frequently hit ten rows back in the bucket seats.

He conceded 36 runs off his first two overs – mainly to Hayward, who simply smashed the ball to all parts.

Tom Morton was a comparative bystander, looking on as South Wilts powered their way to 92 without loss off seven overs – just 42 deliveries.

Hayward’s competition record 130 came off just 50 balls and included ten sixes and ten fours.

His 130 was one run more than Jordan Hobday made for Hook & Newnham Basics against Hartley Wintney in 2010.

Morton (33), Ryan Burl (25) and Steve Riddle (19) were able to relax at the other end and play support roles.

South Wilts’ 233-6 was by some distance the highest cup final score, but the second biggest overall in the competition.

The game was up but, to their credit, Burridge battled bravely, with Shu Chowdhury (29) getting his side off to a good start after Scott Mills (1) was magnificently caught on the long-off boundary by Ryan Burl.

The young Zimbabwean took a stunning catch, somehow keeping the ball in play as he tumbled back and then, having regained his balance, caught the ball again.

Kenway, whose four overs had cost 63 runs, then sought instant revenge for his punishment and led the charge as Burridge briefly raised hopes of getting back into the game.

But when Kenway skied one into the grateful gloves of Tom Morton, the trophy was effectively sealed.

Pride and dignity were intact for Burridge, who closed on 161-9 (Dom Ducellier 4-23), but South Wilts were simply the better side on the night.