SOUTH Wilts began their season with a narrow victory over Alton on a bitterly cold day at the beginning of May, writes ROY HONEYBONE.

On Saturday, Alton returned to Bemerton on a beautiful hot summer’s day.

The contrasts continued, as Alton, who scored 243 in the first game, won the toss and opted to bat.

They were soon regretting that decision as Luke Evans and Arthur Godsal each took a wicket in their first over to leave Alton 1-2.

It did not stop there as Godsal and Evans continued their bowling masterclass. Wickets continued to tumble as South Wilts claimed all 10 wickets for just 44 runs in just 17.3 overs.

Evans celebrated his birthday with 4-18 while Godsal finished with 6-21.

There were catches for Ben Draper (2), Raff Hussey (2), Peter Rowe, James Hayward and Tom Morton.

Evans and Godsal were both on hat-tricks during their exceptional spell of swing bowling, but both had to settle for two in two.

Only two Alton players struggled to double figures with skipper Daniel Harris making 12 and in a last wicket partnership with Julian Ballinger, Jack Myers made 19.

So how would South Wilts fare on the same pitch against the lively Matt Bacon.

Well Alton had made the pitch look almost unplayable, but despite losing an early wicket themselves as Peter Rowe fell to Bacon.

Tom Morton and Arthur Godsal made the task look simple as they knocked off the required runs in just 6.5 overs. Morton hit 25 not out from 18 balls while Godsal backed up his bowling with a competent 14 not out from 22 balls. Just to make his day complete Arthur Godsal hit the winning runs with a boundary that finished one of the quickest Southern League Premier Division games in 24.2 overs.

This Saturday, South Wilts will hope to continue their winning run when they travel to May's Bounty to face bottom side Basingstoke and North Hants.