South Wilts failed to seize the initiative after twice working themselves into promising positions against Bashley (Rydal) and lost their top-table ECB Southern Premier League match at Bemerton by 21 runs.
They had Bashley up against it at 81-6, only to allow the New Forest visitors to almost double their score to 158 and then were in the driving seat themselves at 88-2, only to fall away to 137 all out.
Its given South Wilts a lot to do if they are win the title. Bashley have a 20-point lead over the second placed Hampshire Academy and are 26 points ahead of South Wilts ahead of Saturday's New Forest derby with Lymington at the Fagan/BCG.
Players faced challenging conditions as a strong wind whipped across the ground that had taken a rain battering the previous 24 hours.
Neither side managed an individual half-century, but there's increasing speculation around the circuit how many of the current crop of SPL batsmen actually have the temperament to remain at the crease, graft and physically build an innings these days.
Bashley lost Will Tripcony first ball and after a wicket brace by Aussie Ryan Freeman (3-55) were in early difficulty. Ben Walker showed resolve as Jacob Gordon (22) decided attack was best and belted five boundaries in a quick fire knock.
The table toppers slipped to 81-6 before Josh Digby (47) was joined by Ben Francis (25) in a seventh-wicket revival which, added to George Wilson featuring later, pointed Bashley to 158 (Rob Pittman 3-35).
The last four Bashley wickets added a precious 77 runs and left South Wilts with a tricky run chase which promptly became harder when Tom Cheater nicked a catch behind fifth ball.
As tea approached, opener James Degg (32) and Harry Broderick appeared to have the situation under control - only for a suicidal run out to cost Degg his wicket. South Wilts 56-2 at tea.
Broderick (42) took the initiative after the break but when he became the first of spinner Gordon's five victims at 88-2, prospects took a downturn for South Wilts.
Gordon [left] took 5-30 as South Wilts' batsmen frittered their wickets away - some to poor shot selection - as the innings fell away to 137 all out.

2nd XI vs Trojans CC 1st XI
https://southwilts.play-cricket.com/website/results/6081995

3rd XI vs Basingstoke & North Hants CC 3rd XI
https://southwilts.play-cricket.com/website/results/6089075

Report

Teenager Will Welsh celebrated a career-best return of 7-46 with the ball and later top scored for South Wilts III in the 79-run defeat by unbeaten Hampshire League Division 3 North leaders Basingstoke & North Hants.
The talented Millfield all-rounder, who also plays off scratch at golf, took four wickets in his final over as Basingstoke were dismissed for 232.
Welsh (37) then shared a half-century opening stand with fellow teen Adam Cutler (26) before the young South Wilts side slipped to 157 all out.
Millfield's Director of Cricket Mark Garaway explained: "Will's in our 2nd tier team, who bats in the top four, bowls a bit and catches pigeons.
"His catching prowess earned him a call up into the Meyer’s XI during the recent cup run which took the side to Lords for the National Final. Will took four magnificent catches in the final four matches of the competition.
"I really like his bowling action, very fluid and we have been giving him more and more overs in the second half of the season, so it’s great to hear that he has taken that confidence into his club cricket."

4th XI vs Laverstock CC 1st XI
https://southwilts.play-cricket.com/website/results/6095557