JAMES Hayward is in the form of his life for South Wilts – a second scintillating century in eight days powering the Bemerton club into the third round of the ECB Royal London national club championships.

He opened the season with a quite magnificent unbeaten 117 for South Wilts against the Hampshire Academy.

And followed it up with an arguably even better 122 as South Wilts saw-off West of England Premier League Division 1 side Potterne by 57 runs – making it back-to-back wins in the space of 24 hours.

By his own admission, Hayward had to produce a ‘responsible’ knock against visiting Potterne as South Wilts were in a spot of bother at 41-3 when he arrived at the crease.

In-form trio Eddie Abel, Tom Morton and William Wade were all back in the pavilion and Potterne fancied their chances.

But Hayward, with no mean support from Joe Cranch, turned the game on its head with a 123-run fourth wicket stand which pointed South Wilts to a powerful 259-6 off 45 overs, which Potterne took over three hours to bowl.

Hayward struck two sixes and 15 fours in his 122 – which he agreed was one of his best innings for some time – while Cranch made 62.

Potterne began their innings confidently enough and were 72-1 at one stage, but steadily lost wickets against the seam and spin combination of James Hibberd, Jake Foley, Luke Evans and Abel, closing at 202 all out.

South Wilts’ reward is a home tie against Ventnor – their Premier League opponents at Newclose on Saturday (1pm) at Bemerton on Sunday, May 30.