SOUTH Wilts moved back to the top of the Southern League Premier Division after they beat visiting Havant by four wickets, writes ROY HONEYBONE.

On a hot, pleasant summer’s day Havant won the toss and opted to bat first.

After an early breakthrough Harry Gadd 46 and Peter Hopson 45 moved the score on from 16-1 to 108-2 at lunch.

The run rate was far from intimidating and lunch proved to be their downfall as both men were out soon after lunch.

At this point wickets began to fall regularly with Luke Evans 4-29 and James Hayward 4-36 taking the lions share.

Will Harries dismissed Richard Hindley in bizarre fashion as Richard ‘left’ a ball that hit him on the pads and he was given out leg before.

There were excellent catches for Matty Burton, Ben Draper, Raff Hussey and Tom Morton – Morton also added another stumping to his tally. Overseas player Siviwe Gidana fell to a superb direct hit run-out by Matty Burton and South Wilts dismissed Havant for 165 in 62.1 overs.

South Wilts reply started well enough with Tom Morton 44 sharing stands of 57 with Peter Rowe (22) and 32 with Arthur Godsal (18), but then South Wilts slipped from 89-1 to 107-5 and the supporters were getting anxious.

This anxiety was magnified considerably when our scorer of 35 years, Adrian James, was taken seriously ill with what turned out to be a massive heart attack.

Having been taken to Salisbury District Hospital he was then rushed by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

Ade is a much-loved and much valued member of the South Wilts cricket community and everyone is wishes him well.

Meanwhile, back at the cricket match Joe Cranch 38 not out and Raff Hussey 20 had a splendid partnership of 57 runs just when it mattered.

Hussey was unfortunate to be out when one run short of Havant’s score.

Luke Evans entered the fray to score a single which tied the scores and kept him on strike.

He then watched the ball whizz past his ear as Richard Jerry sent down a wild ball that went for the bye that won the game for South Wilts,

News of Lymington’s ‘losing draw’ filtered through and meant that South Wilts moved to the top of the league.

This weekend, South Wilts are away at Burridge in the league and at Havant in the National Cup.