The 1st XI claimed a crucial away win at Burridge, chasing down a modest target with relative comfort. The 2nd XI edged a nail-biter one wicket win at home against Bournemouth. The 3rd XI put up a decent fight away at league leaders Verwood but came up short. Meanwhile, the 4th XI produced an impressive home win against high-flying Over Wallop.

With three weekends left, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th XIs all have a realistic chance of retaining their league status. For the 3rd XI, however, it may now be a step too far, but hope remains. Keep the faith.

● The 1st XI win by 7 wickets away to Burridge with a fine knock from skipper Ben Draper (74*) and Archie Fairfax-Ross shining with the ball, leaves destiny in their own hands.

● The 2s finally got on the right side of a very tight one. Winning by 1 wicket. Plenty of good performances. Connor Bain a vital knock (66) Thomas Barrett (33*) getting us home in a nervy finish. Like the 1st XI, their destiny is now in their own hands with 2 of the final 3 games against teams down in the bottom section.

● The 3s came up short at Verwood 1st XI losing by 7 wickets, Max Cordle (69) with another good knock. Skipper Jody Everett taking the wickets. It looks like one step too far to survive now for the 3rd XI.

● The 4s also won again, with a resounding 87 run win at home to Over Wallop. George Nash (66) and Alex Vincent (50) getting in on the runs for the season. Retaining Division 5e status now in their hands as well.

? Match Summaries

South Wilts 1st XI – 160 for 3 (36.1 overs) – 22 pts
Burridge 1st XI – 159 all out (46.3 overs) – 3 pts

Returning to 50-over white-ball cricket brought a return to form for the 1st XI. After losing the toss, Burridge chose to bat, starting steadily despite the early loss of Blake, cleaned up by Ben Jack.

The game swung firmly in South Wilts’ favour with the introduction of Archie Fairfax-Ross, who claimed two quick wickets to reduce Burridge from 70 for 1 to 73 for 3. From there, wickets fell steadily, with the slower bowlers taking control. Burridge collapsed to 115 for 7 and later 134 for 9, with Archie finishing with 4 for 35. James Degg (3 for 22) and Tom Grant (2 for 17) also contributed effectively. A last-wicket stand of 25 slightly boosted Burridge’s total before Tom Grant ended the innings at 159 all out, a total South Wilts were happy to chase.

The reply didn’t start smoothly. The top order struggled through a sticky period and found themselves 43 for 3, with Harry Broderick the top scorer at that point with 26. But a calm and composed partnership between Tom Cheater and captain Ben Draper restored order. The pair added an unbeaten 117-run stand, with Draper finishing on 74 not out and Cheater on 40 not out, guiding South Wilts home by 7 wickets.

A huge win on the road that leaves their fate firmly in their own hands in the battle to stay in the Southern Premier League.

? Next Match: Home vs Basingstoke & North Hants 1st XI – 12:30 start. A massive relegation battle – all support welcome!

South Wilts 2nd XI – 235 for 9 (49.3 overs) – 22 pts
Bournemouth 2nd XI – 232 for 8 (50 overs) – 10 pts

After a string of narrow defeats, the 2nd XI finally found themselves on the winning side of a thriller snatching a 1-wicket victory in the final over, under the Wilton Road sunshine.

Bournemouth elected to bat on a good surface. Early breakthroughs from Jasper Blackwood and Marc Burton helped reduce them, but a 100-run partnership gave the visitors a solid platform. Skipper Tom Pearce broke the stand, and as with the 1st XI, the slower bowlers helped to stall momentum. At 166 for 7, South Wilts had their foot on Bournemouth’s throat but couldn't quite finish the job, allowing them to scramble to 232 for 8. Blackwood returned 3 for 36, Matt Anderson Emm 3 for 40, and Marc Burton bowled economically for 1 for 26.

In response, the innings started disastrously - 9 for 2, quickly becoming 14 for 3, and then 51 for 5. The chase looked in tatters. But experience told as Tom Pearce steadied the ship. Understanding time was not the issue but wickets were, he rebuilt carefully before being run out for 44 attempting a tight second. Connor Bain then carried the momentum forward, supported briefly by Kevin Chidrawi (16). At 176 for 7, the lower order had work to do.

Connor reached a valuable 66, before falling to a tired shot. That left it to Thomas Barrett, supported only by Marc Burton and Matt Anderson-Emm. Taking a couple of blows along the way, Thomas calmly picked off his favoured areas - point and extra cover and with no fingernails left in the crowd, he struck the winning runs, finishing 33 not out.

A stunning, last-gasp win for the 2nd XI, and a major step toward securing County Division 1 status.

? Next Match: Away vs Hayling Island 1st XI – 12:30 start.

South Wilts 3rd XI – 197 for 7 (45 overs) – 6 pts
Verwood 1st XI – 198 for 3 (36.2 overs) – 22 pts

After last week's win, skipper Jody Everett won the toss again and elected to bat, hoping for back-to-back success.

A steady start saw Tom Baines (26) dismissed at 46, followed by a promising stand between Henry Smith (35) and Max Cordle, only for Smith to be run out in a complete mix-up.
Max built on last week’s century with another solid 69, but momentum never fully came as league leaders Verwood controlled proceedings. A total of 197 for 7 never felt quite enough.

In reply, South Wilts’ bowlers toiled in the heat without much success. Verwood cruised to the target, losing just 3 wickets, all taken by Everett, who finished with 3 for 54. Nick Partridge and Sam Burton bowled economically, not using all of their allotted overs, as bowlers were mixed up trying to find a way through but today we couldn’t do it.

With time running out, it looks like survival may be a step too far for the 3s, but they’ll keep fighting.

? Next Match: Home to Redlynch and Hale 1st XI – 13:00 start.

South Wilts 4th XI – 212 for 6 (40 overs) – 24 pts
Over Wallop 1st XI – 125 all out (27 overs) – 7 pts

A superb victory for the 4th XI at home over promotion hopefuls Over Wallop.

Winning the toss, South Wilts chose to bat. With Over Wallop only starting with 10 players, gaps in the field were there to be exploited. Despite an early wobble at 3 for 1, Freddie Jones and the technically stylish Alex Vincent put together a classy 79-run stand before Freddie fell to spin.
Alex Vincent carried on to a well earnt 50, with an array of front and back foot drives only (as some expected) to be dismissed with a lapse in concentration next ball after reaching the milestone.

The platform was then set for Jacob Rowe and the flamboyant George Nash, who added a brilliant 101-run partnership. Jacob made a fluent 41, while Nash stayed unbeaten on a composed and controlled 66 not out, as South Wilts finished on a competitive 212 for 6.

After tea, the match hinged on Over Wallop’s two prolific run-scorers. However, Nash dismissed league-leading run scorer McKillop early, and Asher Osborn followed with the No.3’s wicket to reduce the visitors to 1 for 2.
Youngster Oscar Whiting bowled Palanyandi, their other key batter, and then Thomas Whiting removed Cullen with help from a brilliant one-handed grab by Alex Vincent behind the stumps.

It was a complete bowling performance, every bowler chipped in, and vital catches were taken in the field. A dominant 87-run win, securing maximum points and keeping hopes of remaining in Division 5 East very much alive.

? Next Match: Away vs Collingbourne CC 1st XI – 13:00 start.

Summary:
Plenty of standout performances across all teams this week. As we enter the final stretch of the season, it’s all still to play for. Availability will be key - this coming weekend already looks a bit uncertain on that front, so let's dig deep and finish the season strong! ??