The 4s once again led the charge with a thrilling one-run win, closely followed by the 3s, who notched their first win of the season away from home. Less joy for the 1s and 2s, who both came out on the wrong side of their respective contests.

South Wilts 1st XI 246 all out (49 overs) – 9 pts
St Cross Symondians 1st XI 249 for 8 (49.1 overs) – 22 pts

A close call for the 1st XI, but this time we came out on the wrong side in the end.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, the innings got off to a shaky start with both openers back in the hutch with just 32 on the board. Peter Rowe (62) and Tom Cheater (42) then rebuilt with a composed 90-run partnership, only for Rowe to fall just as things were starting to flow. Captain Ben Draper followed soon after, but Cheater and Harry Broderick (41) added another 55 to keep the innings moving. However, a steady flow of wickets saw the 1s bowled out for 246 — with Archie Fairfax-Ross stranded on a fluent 25*.

St Cross, fielding two Hampshire-contracted players, started comfortably. But once Felix Organ and Dom Kelly were both removed by Fairfax-Ross, the contest began to tighten. James Degg (3 for 30) and Tom Grant (2 for 36) bowled well and picked up key wickets, but South Wilts could never quite take full control or build sustained pressure. In the end, St Cross edged home with five balls to spare. A competitive showing, but one that slipped just beyond reach.

South Wilts 2nd XI 221 for 9 (50 overs) – 10 pts
Basingstoke & North Hants 2nd XI 255 all out (49.4 overs) – 23 pts

A frustrating déjà vu for the 2nd XI in a match that mirrored last week’s defeat at Bashley, starting strong with the ball but letting the opposition off the hook in the final overs.

Basingstoke chose to bat first, and the 2s made an excellent start. George Nash (3 for 30) delivered his best spell of the season so far, removing both openers early. Backed by tight, economical spin and sharp fielding, including a run-out, Basingstoke were struggling at 102 for 6. But as the sun began to take its toll, concentration levels dipped, and partnerships formed. Ellis (65), Thankachan (25), and Fincken (35) combined to drag Basingstoke to a far healthier 255 all out, from a position where 180 looked more likely.

Chasing a challenging but gettable target, South Wilts made a confident start. Adam Cutler (40) set the tone with a fluent knock, and he and Lawrence Yeo (54) put on 69 for the first wicket. With batting depth in the lineup, hopes were high, but several batters got in and then got out, while others never got going. A late flourish from George Nash (34) gave the chase a boost, but the total proved just out of reach, the innings closing on 221 for 9.

A missed opportunity, perhaps, letting Basingstoke score 50–60 more than they should have and not quite capitalising with the bat. But there's still plenty of cricket to come this season. Keep the faith.

South Wilts 3rd XI 228 for 7 (45 overs) – 23 pts
Bournemouth CC 3rd XI 200 for 9 (45 overs) – 9 pts

The 3rd XI got off the mark for the season with a well-earned win down on the south coast.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, openers Henry Smith (53) and Gabriel Williams (71) gave the team a dream start, sharing a superb 120-run opening partnership. Smith played a measured innings, digging in for the afternoon, while Williams took the more attacking route, finding the boundary regularly with some imperious stroke play.

With that solid platform, others were able to play with freedom. Although the expected 250+ total never materialised, contributions from Frank (21) and Thomas Whiting (20), plus a quick-fire 29 from Kevin Chidrawi, pushed the 3s to a very handy 228.

In reply, Bournemouth never really found their rhythm. Wickets fell consistently, with every bowler contributing, but it was all-rounder Chidrawi who stood out again, returning figures of 2 for 29 from 9 overs, including four maidens. Only opener Nicholas Hellyear (87) showed real resistance. When George Gundill returned to the attack and claimed Hellyear's wicket, Bournemouth were 9 down, and the win was within sight. The 3s held their nerve to seal an important victory and break their duck for the season. Onwards and upwards.

South Wilts 4th XI 184 for 8 (40.0 overs) – 23 pts
Laverstock & Ford 1st XI 183 all out (39.5 overs) – 10 pts

The 4th XI team were taken right to the wire in a classic game for the ages at the Academy ground. With Laverstock bringing more away support than is usually seen for two local sides, it made for a tension-filled, entertaining afternoon.

Winning the toss and electing to bat in the heat, South Wilts made a reasonable start, with Finn Edwards (35) setting the tone at the top. After a middle-order wobble, P. Hawley (46) provided some much-needed glue, stabilising the innings before Freddie Jones added a vital 37 lower down the order. The final total of 184 on a fast outfield looked competitive, though chaseable.

After a fine tea laid on by the parents of the younger squad members, the game resumed with Laverstock losing two early wickets. However, John Shears (36) and Jamie Smith (68) put together a superb 113-run partnership that looked to have swung the match their way. The breakthrough came via the stumping of Smith off the bowling of the younger Jones, a moment that shifted the momentum.

From then on, wickets fell steadily. Even the undefeated Laverstock captain, Dave Vincent, couldn’t guide his side home. With just two balls remaining and two runs needed for victory, young Olly Wright showed great maturity and nerve, bowling Mitchell to seal an unforgettable one-run win for the 4s. A brilliant match with some of the youngsters continuing to impress.