Army all-rounder Stephen Booth, pictured, hit an unbeaten century to spark an amazing turnabout by South Wilts seconds who clawed their way out of trouble to beat St Cross Symondians II by 25 runs at the Green Jackets Ground.
The relegation haunted Salisbury side, with only one previous Premier Division 2 win in eight games, were in strife at 84-6 when Booth cracked an unbeaten 100 off 65 balls.
His century lifted South Wilts to a competitive 269, which St Cross failed to match despite being 136-1 at one stage.
Rob Pittman (35) initiated South Wilts recovery with the first of three separate half-century partnerships Booth featured in.
The Army cricketer hit five sixes and eight fours, adding precious runs with Marc Burton (32) and Matt Burton, with whom he took South Wilts from 215-9 to 269 all out, Matt Perry-Lewis finishing with a tidy 3-20.
It appeared as though Booth’s efforts might be in vain as former Hampshire opener Jason Laney (64) and Matt Haworth (55) guided St Cross to 136-1.
But once Tom Lewis (2-46), coming on as fourth change, had dismissed the pair, St Cross lost their way.
Dave Orchard (20) and Graham Barrett (30) restored stability, but from 216-5 the last five St Cross wickets fell for 30 and the Winchester side finished 246 all out, with Pittman taking 3-53.
The relegation haunted Salisbury side, with only one previous Premier Division 2 win in eight games, were in strife at 84-6 when Booth cracked an unbeaten 100 off 65 balls.
His century lifted South Wilts to a competitive 269, which St Cross failed to match despite being 136-1 at one stage.
Rob Pittman (35) initiated South Wilts recovery with the first of three separate half-century partnerships Booth featured in.
The Army cricketer hit five sixes and eight fours, adding precious runs with Marc Burton (32) and Matt Burton, with whom he took South Wilts from 215-9 to 269 all out, Matt Perry-Lewis finishing with a tidy 3-20.
It appeared as though Booth’s efforts might be in vain as former Hampshire opener Jason Laney (64) and Matt Haworth (55) guided St Cross to 136-1.
But once Tom Lewis (2-46), coming on as fourth change, had dismissed the pair, St Cross lost their way.
Dave Orchard (20) and Graham Barrett (30) restored stability, but from 216-5 the last five St Cross wickets fell for 30 and the Winchester side finished 246 all out, with Pittman taking 3-53.
