Hook & Newnham Basics 217-8 lost to

South Wilts II 218-8

SOUTH Wilts seconds won a thriller at Lower Bemerton over relegation rivals Hook to give themselves a much-needed confidence boost for the rest of the season.

Victory looked a distant hope when South Wilts slid to 120-8 in reply to Hook's 217-8, but a heroic ninth wicket partnership from young James Hayward and skipper Steve Benbough saved the day.

Hook dominated much of the day, racing to 100-2 off 20 overs. The game quickly changed though with the introduction of left-arm spinners Hayward and Eddie Abel.

They tied the Hook batsmen down completely, who perished when having to resort to big shots.

Abel picked up 5-46 off his 12 overs, while Hay-ward bowled a miserly spell at the other end.

Hook slipped to 172-8 but the reintroduction of the seamers allowed them to finish at 217-8.

On a lightning fast outfield, the target should not have proved too difficult, providing South Wilts could get off to a decent start.

This was not the case as three early wickets left them struggling at 32-3.

Dan Webb, 52, and Jon Chandler then resurrected the innings. Both scored freely and looked very much at ease. But when they fell in quick succession to loose shots, the game looked up as South Wilts slid to 128-8.

Hayward was joined by Benbough and the pair set about their mammoth task.

Benbough grew in confidence as Hayward showed the way forward, playing an innings that belied his tender years.

As disappointed as Hook were, they must surely have appreciated the class etched in Hayward's knock.

He finished on 67, a chanceless innings, with Benbough on 30, as South Wilts pulled off a memorable victory.

An exciting encounter between the division's top two teams leaves South Wilts thirds in an excellent position to seek promotion.

Batting first, they progressed to 174-9, thanks to the efforts of Colin Moody who made a determined 59.

In reply, Steep were always up on the run rate but lost wickets regularly. At 120-5, Steep looked favourites, but a run out turned the tide back South Wilts' way as skipper Matt Newman, 4-34, turned the screw.

With one wicket left and three runs needed, South Wilts were reeling as a chance was spilled off Button, 2-26, but three balls later another arrived and Harvey grabbed it to the delight of his team mates.

Supporters at Lower Bemerton were treated on Saturday when the tense finale to the second team's game was followed by a dramatic end to the fourth team's game. Overton had amassed 230 and despite having wickets in hand, the fourths had slipped well below the run rate.

Then Overton were left shell shocked as Amish Patel laid siege to their bowlers. He hit 94 not out to lead his side home to a remarkable victory.

Twenty-five off two overs was reduced to three off the last ball. Patel picked out a fielder on the square leg boundary, but the tension got to the Overton players. A poor throw allowed the South Wilts' batsmen through to level the scores, and in his haste the keeper dropped the ball leaving South Wilts to scramble home for the win.