LYMINGTON must win their final two matches of the season if they are to stand any chance of prising the Southern Premier League title from either South Wilts or Havant.

With two home matches to go – against Burridge and Havant – third-placed Lymington are 14 points behind leaders South Wilts who visit Havant on Saturday.

“We need Havant to beat South Wilts, it’s as simple as that,” said Lymington captain Simon Beetham.

Lymington had to take care chasing down Hampshire Academy’s modest 165, losing six wickets against a young county side which never threw in the towel.

They won an important toss on a damp and freshly-cut strip, with Matt Metcalfe (3-15) extracting movement and reducing the Academy to 25 for three.

Fresh from his midweek county IIs century against Worcestershire, Tom Scriven (76) led an Academy fightback, initially with Fletcha Middleton (20) after which only Pat Holly (27) made his mark.

All the time Lymington took wickets, with Felix Ambrose (3-38) and Richard Lock (2-34) making late inroads.

Ben Rogers (35) gave Lymington’s innings a typically explosive start, but the visitors were never on easy street as the Academy kept chipping away with their spinners.

The Organ brothers, Felix and Zac, bowled particularly well, conceding only 43 runs off their combined 17 overs.

But all eight Lymington batsmen made double figures – Lock 24 – before victory was achieved in the 45th over.

South Wilts maintained their challenge with a seven-wicket win over New Milton, a defeat which heightened the Green and Golds’ relegation fears.

Milton are now only 11 points ahead of Andover who they visit on the final day of the season.

“We’re fighting for our lives,” said Milton skipper Ryan Beck.

They plunged to 10 for three and then 22 for four against the South Wilts new-ball attack (James Hibberd 3-15).

Tom Arnold, with a gritty 33, and George Watts (20) held up South Wilts' progress, but the visitors dropped from 55 for five to 83 for eight with in-form Luke Evans (4-35) removing the pair.

Campbell Golding (27) and Ryan Beck (19) staged a brave ninth-wicket stand to give New Milton something to defend, even though it was a modest 133.

And the Green and Golds did not go down without a fight, reducing South Wilts to 56 for three.

But South Wilts’ youngsters Will Wade and Ben Draper then took control. Wade hit an unbeaten 50 and Draper 35 in an unbroken 77-run stand.

Bashley suffered a 120-run defeat at the hands of St Cross.

Simon Ridley (4-48) was the pick of the Bashley bowlers as St Cross piled up 294 for eight.

And although Patrick Page (33), Michael Porter (47) and Phil Morris (25) made starts, Bashley were dismissed for 174.