SOUTH Wilts paid the ultimate penalty for dropping Michael Porter, as the Bashley (Rydal) skipper went onto score 113 and set up a 59-run in the Southern League Premier Division top of the table clash.

To make matters worse, Bashley were 28-3 at the time and went on to bat South Wilts out of the contest with their 258 all out.

South Wilts were dismissed for 199 and are now 43 points adrift of the leaders after a third defeat, at the half way point of the season.

Arthur Godsal (4-39) and Luke Evans (1-58) did the early damage for South Wilts, but dropping Porter proved the turning point of the game, with the Bashley captain sharing useful partnerships with Tom Friend (22) and Josh Digby (31).

Porter went on to hit two sixes and ten fours in his 113, his near century stand with Tom Jacques (46 not out) taking the game out of South Wilts’ hands.

Ryan Murray took 3-45 for South Wilts, whose prospects of chasing down the total received an immediate setback when the talismanic Tom Morton knicked one behind off Dan Goodey.

Before too long, South Wilts were 33-4 and effectively out of the contest.

They were back in the safe hands of James Hayward (78) and Ben Draper (39) for an hour, but three wicket returns by Brad Currie and Tom Friend, plus three catches by Jacques behind the stumps, saw the Bemerton side drop to 199 all out.

South Wilts will look to get back into the title chase when they face a visit from Alton who eighth.

The seconds climbed off the Division Two basement with a much needed four-wicket win at Langley Manor.

The home side scored 173 all out as Rob Pittman (3-34) led the way supported by Tom Pearce (2-24) and Matt Burton (2-35).

Teenage left-hander Jack Stearman dropped team selectors a timely reminder with an unbeaten half-century.