 |  Left Sam Ashman whose 58* guided the Academy to victory and (above) Sam Mills, who gave the Hampshire teenagers a sound start. [Roy Honeybone] |
South Wilts lie uneasily on the lip of the ECB Southern Premier League relegation zone after a five-wicket defeat by the Hampshire Academy at Bemerton left them in second from bottom position.
The county youngsters polished off a South Wilts total of 237 to inflict a sixth defeat on their hosts, who are a slender 11 points ahead of Bournemouth in last place.
While Bournemouth were losing a high scoring affair at Burridge, fellow strugglers Basingstoke & North Hants pulled off a remarkable win over high fliers Bashley (Rydal).
Frustratingly, six South Wilts batsmen made 20-run plus starts against the Academy, with only Rob Pittman (41) and Tom Grant going on.
South Wilts top three, James Degg (32), Matt Falconer (20) and Ben Draper (30) were all positive, but when the Academy engaged spin the innings began to subside.
Sam Davis (3-42) and Abdul Iqbal (3-67) sent down 29 overs of spin, taking six wickets including that of birthday boy Harry Broderick (33) to leave South Wilts 137-7.
The county youngsters polished off a South Wilts total of 237 to inflict a sixth defeat on their hosts, who are a slender 11 points ahead of Bournemouth in last place.
While Bournemouth were losing a high scoring affair at Burridge, fellow strugglers Basingstoke & North Hants pulled off a remarkable win over high fliers Bashley (Rydal).
Frustratingly, six South Wilts batsmen made 20-run plus starts against the Academy, with only Rob Pittman (41) and Tom Grant going on.
South Wilts top three, James Degg (32), Matt Falconer (20) and Ben Draper (30) were all positive, but when the Academy engaged spin the innings began to subside.
Sam Davis (3-42) and Abdul Iqbal (3-67) sent down 29 overs of spin, taking six wickets including that of birthday boy Harry Broderick (33) to leave South Wilts 137-7.
The two oldest players in the side, Rob Pittman (41) and Tom Grant (38) countered as the last three South Wilts wickets added a priceless 100 runs.
The Academy began equally confidently through Ventnor's Sam Mills (49), Freddie Gillett (39) and Finn Gordon (20) who took their reply to 119-1.
Two wickets each by Ben Jack and James Degg caused a slight wobble, but Sam Ashman (58*) and Zac Basey (35*), both gaining in experience from regular county second team cricket, shared an unbroken 70-run sixth-wicket stand to seal South Wilts' fate.
The Academy began equally confidently through Ventnor's Sam Mills (49), Freddie Gillett (39) and Finn Gordon (20) who took their reply to 119-1.
Two wickets each by Ben Jack and James Degg caused a slight wobble, but Sam Ashman (58*) and Zac Basey (35*), both gaining in experience from regular county second team cricket, shared an unbroken 70-run sixth-wicket stand to seal South Wilts' fate.
