SOUTH Wilts moved up to second in the table with a thumping win over Lip-hook & Ripsley and the winning margin of 162 runs did not flatter them.

Their superiority was obvious from the start and a win of such magnitude should boost their confidence for tougher weeks ahead.

Having lost the toss yet again, South Wilts were asked to bat.

A surprising decision perhaps, given South Wilts' record when batting first, but nonetheless they happily accepted the offer and set about plundering Liphook's bowling attack.

The dependable Tim Wheatley kept a tight line and length from one end, but that was little help given the run blitz happening from the other end.

Openers Alex Senneck and Western Australian star Chris Rogers seemed to deal entirely in boundaries, as they punished anything loose.

A huge score seemed inevitable from the off and it was only in the 15th over with the score already on 97 that the first wicket fell, when Alex Senneck got carried away and skied one to depart for 40.

Russell Rowe now joined Rogers and the pair carried on the assault before Rowe was dismissed for 27.

At the halfway mark the score was 153-2 and Liphook's relief at picking up their second wicket would have been dampened somewhat to see Jason Laney striding to the crease.

Laney, whose early season form has been a continuation of last season's run glut, eased into his game, hitting three of his first six balls to the boundary and moved toward a 45-ball 50.

Meanwhile Rogers, having reached his 50 off 48 balls, looked on course for a big hundred, but out of the blue he was deceived by a Nick Gay delivery and departed for 76.

The fall of the third wicket at 181 in the 31st over provided little relief for Liphook though, as skipper Rob Wade joined Laney.

The pair added 82 in just 11 overs before Wade was bowled, again by Gay, for 35.

At 263-4 after 42 overs the home side looked set to handsomely surpass their previous Southern League best of 303 (again at Liphook's expense) but when Laney fell for a fine 68, the expected run chaos failed to ensue and the Salisbury side coasted in to a record 308.

The only surprising factor was that South Wilts were actually bowled out in the final over.

Gay finished with 5-69 but Tim Wheatley's 2-41 proved he was the only bowler capable of stemming the tidal wave of runs.

Liphook's reply never really got off the ground as the South Wilts bowlers demonstrated the art of line and length.

Senneck, 10-3-17-1, in particular proved a handful for the early batsmen and was very unlucky to only pick up one wicket for his efforts.

He dismissed Liphook's South African Dominic Ridley thanks to a sharp slip catch by Laney.

Henry Lamb also bowled well on his debut, 7-2-19-2, with both his wickets arriving courtesy of slip catches by Rogers.

James Hayward then produced a fine spell of left-arm spin to remove the middle order.

His 4-29 proved the pick of the figures and at 112-8 an early finish looked assured.

Tim Wheatley, however, continued his resistance from earlier in the day as he top-scored with 27 to at least get Liphook, 146 all out, a batting point.

South Wilts now turn their attention to the all-day games starting with Saturday's visit to Hampshire Academy.

The club's second string were also victorious, seeing off St Cross II by a 69-run margin.

St Cross must have thought they were in business as South Wilts lost several early wickets.

However, Adie Holewell, making a rare second team outing, began the turnabout, with a fine knock of 61, backed up by Jamie Taylor, 35, to help them to a handy total of 222-9.

St Cross's reply was stifled from the off as Hole-well continued to shine.

He put a stranglehold on the innings and his 2-26 off 12 overs effectively won the game.

The rest of the bowlers produced much improved performances and Tim Cowley picked up four wickets as St Cross fell for 153.

South Wilts' thirds suffered their first defeat of the season in a stirring encounter with Amport.

After struggling to 19-3 and then 80-6, a fine rearguard batting display, in particular from Anthony Jeffrey, 47 not out, saw South Wilts set a challenging total of 202-8.

Amport's reply followed a similar pattern against the bowling of Ben New-man and Anthony Jeffrey.

However, Lee Ayres' un-beaten 94 saw Amport chase down an improbable run-rate to reach their target with four wickets in hand.

Meanwhile, the club's fourth string had no problem dealing with Idlers at Harnham, winning a one-sided affair by seven wickets.

Rob Meintjes proved he had recovered from his pre-season shoulder dislocation to destroy the Id-lers' batting.

Meintjes, who took 8-40, looks sure to play at a higher standard now that he is fit again and the same could be said for newcomer Will Heath, whose un-beaten 50 helped South Wilts to an easy victory.

Chris Abel shared the batting honours with 58.