A hugely successful season for South Wilts CC!

The 2026 season has been another highly successful one for senior cricket at South Wilts Cricket Club, with silverware, promotion challenges and strong performances across all of our senior sides.

From the 1st XI competing at the top end of the Southern Premier Cricket League to the Midweek T20 side lifting two trophies, there has been plenty to celebrate throughout the club.

1st XI – SPCL Premier Division
Runners Up

The 1st XI enjoyed an excellent campaign in the SPCL Premier Division, ultimately finishing as runners-up after another season competing at the highest level.

The side consistently challenged towards the top of the table and can look back on a campaign which demonstrated the strength and depth of cricket within the club. Finishing second in such a competitive division represents a significant achievement and provides plenty of encouragement heading into next season.

The 1st XI also enjoyed an impressive run in the T20 Cup, reaching the semi-finals. Although their cup campaign ultimately ended at the semi final stage to Portsmouth CC. Reaching the last four was another indication of the quality within the 1st XI and 2nd XI squads.

James Degg topped the South Wilts 1st XI run-scoring charts in 2026 with an outstanding 643 runs at an average of 45.93, including two centuries and four fifties. His highest score of 135 was also the best individual score among the leading run-scorers.

Harry Broderick finished second with 423 runs, while Joshua Chippendale contributed 412. Tom Cheater scored 380 runs, with Archie Fairfax-Ross close behind on 364. Matthew Falconer and Trishawn Francis completed the leading seven.

There was also an impressive partnership between James Degg and Joshua Chippendale, who featured in the two highest batting partnerships of the 1st XI season. Their 174-run partnership against Burridge CC on 15 August was the highest partnership of the campaign and came during an excellent season for both batsmen.

Earlier in the season, the pair had also combined for 135 against Bashley (Rydal) CC on 23 May, making them the leading partnership combination in the 1st XI during 2026.
With Degg finishing as the side's leading run-scorer and Chippendale also making a significant contribution, their partnership was a key feature of the season.

1st XI Partnerships
174 James Degg & Joshua Chippendale vs Burridge CC on 15 August 2026
135 James Degg & Joshua Chippendale vs Bashley (Rydal) CC on 23 May 2026

The 1st XI also enjoyed a strong season with the ball, with Archie Pascoe leading the wicket-taking charts with an impressive 27 wickets.

Pascoe produced two outstanding five-wicket performances during the campaign, including his best figures of 5/21. Tom Grant was close behind with 24 wickets, producing the best individual bowling figures of the season and a SPCL career best with a superb 6/26.

Archie Fairfax-Ross made a valuable contribution with both bat and ball, taking 19 wickets at his best of 3/27. James Degg also contributed 14 wickets, while Matt Falconer and Tom Cheater chipped in with 13 and 10 wickets respectively.

2nd XI – Hampshire Cricket League Division 2A
CHAMPIONS

There was a major success for the 2nd XI, who were crowned champions of the Hampshire Cricket League Division 2A.

The team produced a consistently strong season to finish at the top of the division, securing a thoroughly deserved league title.

The championship is particularly pleasing recognition of the depth available within the senior section, with the 2nd XI providing a competitive environment for established players as well as helping develop the next generation of South Wilts cricketers.

The 2nd XI's championship-winning season was underpinned by a series of outstanding batting performances.

Liam Vermeulen led the way with an impressive 674 runs from 16 innings, averaging 48.14 and recording a highest score of 130. His consistency throughout the campaign was a major factor in the 2nd XI's successful season.

Gabriel Williams was next with 440 runs at 48.89, including a century against Verwood CC. His excellent average highlighted the quality of his contribution whenever he was at the crease.

One of the standout statistical performances came from Max Cordle, who scored 429 runs from just six innings. With only one dismissal, Cordle averaged an exceptional 85.80, including two centuries and a highest score of 117 not out.

Lawrence Yeo contributed 363 runs, while Will Musgrove scored 320 at an impressive average of 45.71 including 10 really strong sixes. Tom Pearce completed the leading six with 303 runs.

The 2nd XI also produced several significant partnerships during their championship-winning campaign.

The highest was an unbeaten 118-run partnership between Max Cordle and George Allom against Fair Oak CC on 25 July. Allom's explosive 73* off 36 balls the main contributor to that partnership.

Gabriel Williams and Tom Pearce combined for 105 against Verwood CC on 20 June, while Max Cordle and Liam Vermeulen shared a valuable 100-run partnership against Longparish CC on 1 August.

2nd XI Partnerships
118* Max Cordle & George Allom vs Fair Oak CC on 25 July 2026
105 Gabriel Williams & Tom Pearce vs Verwood CC on 20 June 2026
100 Max Cordle & Liam Vermeulen vs Longparish CC on 1 August 2026

With 1,529 runs between the leading three run-scorers, the batting depth was a major component of the 2nd XI's successful title-winning campaign. Vermeulen's consistency, Williams' reliability and Cordle's remarkable scoring rate gave the side an excellent foundation throughout the season.

The 2nd XI's championship-winning campaign was built on a strong and varied bowling attack, with Tom Pearce leading the wicket-taking charts with an impressive 34 wickets.

Pearce's contribution was recognised beyond the club as he was also awarded the Hampshire Cricket League Division 2A bowling award, a fitting reward for an outstanding individual campaign and his contribution to the 2nd XI's championship success.

Bowling almost 100 overs during the season, Pearce finished with 34 wickets, best figures of 4/30 and an excellent economy rate of 4.10 runs per over. His ability to consistently take wickets while keeping the runs under control was a key feature of the 2nd XI attack.

Liam Vermeulen also enjoyed an outstanding all-round season. Having already topped the batting charts, he contributed 20 wickets with the ball, including extraordinary figures of 5/3 in one of his spells.

Kevin Chidrawi took 16 wickets, while George Allom and Jasper Blackwood both claimed 12 wickets. Allom recorded a five-wicket haul with 5/37, while Blackwood produced one of the most economical spells of the season with 4/10.

Marc Burton completed the leading wicket-takers with 12 wickets from 18 appearances.

The six leading bowlers accounted for 106 wickets, providing the depth and consistency required to support a championship-winning campaign.

There were several standout individual spells. Vermeulen's 5/3 was the most remarkable figures of the season, while Allom also claimed a five-wicket haul with 5/37. Blackwood's 4/10 and Burton's 3/14 demonstrated the ability of the attack to combine wicket-taking with excellent economy.

The combination of Pearce's workload and consistency, Vermeulen's all-round contribution and a strong supporting cast gave the 2nd XI an attack capable of putting sustained pressure on opposition batting line-ups throughout the season.

Congratulations to Tom Pearce on a thoroughly deserved league bowling award — an excellent individual achievement in a season which also saw the 2nd XI crowned Division 2A champions.

3rd XI – Hampshire Cricket League Division 4B
3rd Place

The 3rd XI also enjoyed a strong season in Hampshire Cricket League Division 4B, finishing in an excellent third place.

The campaign provided another valuable opportunity for players to develop and gain senior cricket experience, while the team's final position reflects a consistently competitive season.

Alexander Vincent led the run-scoring with 296 runs, including three half-centuries and a highest score of 84.

Henry Smith was close behind with 279 runs at an average of 46.50, while Jacob Rowe scored 275 at 45.83. Both players produced three half-centuries during the campaign.

Jonas Ball contributed 245 runs at an average of 40.83, while Ivo Leyland 225 runs including a century.

There were also excellent contributions from Freddie Jones 178 runs at 59.33, and Max Cordle, who scored 161 runs in just two innings including a century.

The 3rd XI's batting was particularly notable for the number of players contributing substantial scores. The side produced two centuries, with Leyland making 101 and Cordle hitting an excellent 116.

The standout partnership of the season was a superb 196 between Henry Smith and Jonas Ball against Penton CC on 13 June.

3rd XI Partnerships
196 Henry Smith & Jonas Ball vs Penton CC on 13 June 2026
130 Henry Smith & Ollie Wright vs Over Wallop CC on 9 May 2026

The bowling attack was led by Asher Osborn, who finished with an excellent 22 wickets from 67.4 overs. Osborn's best figures were 5/19, earning him a five-wicket haul, while his economy rate of just 4.09 demonstrated his consistency.

George Nash also enjoyed an excellent season with the ball, taking 15 wickets, including outstanding figures of 6/34. Nash's contribution with both bat and ball made him one of the side's key all-round performers.

Matt Anderson-Emm claimed 11 wickets, including figures of 3/3, while Jody Everett 15 wickets and Jacob Rowe 10 wickets also made valuable contributions. Charlie Allom produced one of the most eye-catching individual spells of the season with 5/11. Claiming 17 wickets in the second half of the season.

4th XI – Hampshire Cricket League Division 5E
5th Place

The 4th XI finished the season in fifth place in Hampshire Cricket League Division 5E.
With the emphasis on providing regular cricket and continuing to develop players within the senior structure, the side played an important role throughout the campaign and contributed to another strong overall season for South Wilts.

The 4th XI finished fifth in Hampshire Cricket League Division 5E, with a number of excellent individual batting performances providing plenty of highlights throughout the season.
Naimur Rahman led the way with an impressive 437 runs from 10 innings, averaging 43.70 and recording four half-centuries. His highest score was 91.

Freddie Jones produced a particularly eye-catching campaign, scoring 309 runs from just seven innings, including two centuries. His highest score of 139 was the highest individual score among the leading 4th XI batsmen.

Jake Redding was another standout performer, scoring 297 runs at an excellent average of 49.50. Redding also recorded a century, finishing unbeaten on 110*. Alex Evans contributed 292 runs, including two half-centuries, while Miles Jones added 214 runs.

4th XI Partnerships
The 4th XI also produced some excellent batting partnerships during the season, with five partnerships exceeding 100 runs.

The standout was a superb 203-run partnership between Freddie Jones and Naimur Rahman against Winterbourne CC on 11 July. The pair combined to produce the highest partnership of the 4th XI season, with both batsmen already featuring prominently among the side's leading run-scorers.

Freddie Jones was involved in the second-highest partnership as well, sharing 155 with Miles Jones against Broadchalke CC on 4 July.

There were further century partnerships from Jake Redding and Jacob Nash, who put together 123 against Steeple Langford CC, while Redding also featured in a 114-run partnership with Sahan Perera against Breamore Dravidian CC.

The fifth-highest partnership was 112 between Jon Nash and Miles Jones against Shrewton CC.

The 4th XI also had a number of valuable contributions with the ball throughout the season, with Naimur Rahman leading the wicket-taking charts with 11 wickets.

Rahman bowled 34 overs, conceding 234 runs, and recorded best figures of 3/33. Alex Evans was close behind with 10 wickets from 41.4 overs, including an excellent spell of 4/46.
Jacob Nash and Jake Redding both claimed 10 wickets, with Nash bowling an impressive 80 overs during the campaign. Redding's best figures were 4/59.

Albin Jacob took nine wickets from 25 overs, including 4/51, while Jody Everett and Henry Smith both contributed seven wickets.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the 4th XI season was seeing 12-year-old Dhanish Nair make his contribution to senior cricket.

Dhanish bowled 19 overs during the season, taking 5 wickets at an economy rate of 5.58 runs per over. His best figures of 2/46 came during the campaign and represented valuable experience against senior opposition.

For a player of just 12 years old to be gaining experience within the senior structure is a hugely positive sign for the future of South Wilts Cricket Club. Opportunities such as these are an important part of the club's player pathway, allowing young cricketers to experience senior cricket alongside more established players while continuing their development.

Midweek T20 XI
The Midweek T20 XI had a success season, completing a campaign by winning the Salisbury & District Wednesday Cricket League. To add to that achievement, the side also lifted the Plate Trophy, making it a double-winning season.

Liam Vermeulen led the way with an outstanding 360 runs from nine innings, remaining unbeaten four times to finish with an exceptional average of 72.00. His strike rate of 182.74 underlined the impact he had in the shorter format, with four half-centuries and a highest score of 53*.

Gabriel Williams was not far behind, scoring 352 runs from 11 innings. With five not-outs, Williams averaged 58.67 and also recorded five half-centuries, striking at an impressive 159.28.

Joshua Chippendale provided another explosive contribution, scoring 215 runs at an average of 43.00 and an extraordinary strike rate of 233.70.

Alexander Vincent added 193 runs, while Trishawn Francis contributed 140 runs from just six innings at an average of 46.67.

Jacob Rowe led the way with 11 wickets from 23 overs, recording best figures of 3/12 and an economy rate of 5.96.

Trishawn Francis claimed 10 wickets from 18.2 overs, with best figures of 3/29. Francis also made a significant contribution with the bat, underlining his value as an all-rounder within the Midweek XI.

Ollie Wright also took 10 wickets, with a best of 3/7. He finished with an economy rate of 7.09.

The success is a great reflection of the enthusiasm for midweek cricket at the club and the willingness of players to turn out and represent South Wilts throughout the season.

30% ➡️ 71%
Perhaps the clearest indication of the progress made this season can be seen in the overall results. Across the four Saturday senior teams, South Wilts recorded a 35% win percentage in 2025. In 2026, that figure more than doubled to an impressive 71%.

That represents a remarkable year-on-year improvement and reflects the hard work, commitment and competitive spirit across the entire senior section.

The improvement was not driven by one team alone. With the 1st XI finishing runners-up in the SPCL Premier Division, the 2nd XI crowned Hampshire Cricket League Division 2A champions, the 3rd XI finishing third in Division 4B, and the 4th XI competing strongly in Division 5E, there was a significant uplift in results throughout the club.

The 2026 season has therefore been about more than individual league positions and trophies. The 71% overall win rate demonstrates the growing strength and competitiveness from the 1st XI through to the 4th XI.
It is a remarkable statistic and one which provides an excellent platform for the club to build on heading into 2027.

A Season to be Proud of!
Across the five senior teams, the 2026 season has produced an impressive collection of achievements:
? 1st XI – SPCL Premier Division runners-up
? 1st XI – T20 Cup semi-finalists
? 2nd XI – Hampshire Cricket League Division 2A champions
? 3rd XI – Hampshire Cricket League Division 4B, 3rd place
? 4th XI – Hampshire Cricket League Division 5E, 5th place
? Midweek T20 XI – Salisbury & District Wednesday Cricket League Champions
? Midweek T20 XI – Plate Trophy winners

A huge thank you goes to all of the players, captains, coaches, scorers, umpires, volunteers and supporters who have contributed to the season. Success on the field is built on a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, and everyone involved can take great pride in what has been achieved.

Look out for regular posts throughout the winter to keep everybody updated with club news, photo albums to be completed and posted soon!

With the 1st XI finishing second, the 2nd XI lifting the league title and trophies secured in midweek cricket, there is plenty of momentum to take forward.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and we look forward to another exciting season in 2027.