BOURNEMOUTH are off to a winning start in the ECB Southern Premier League, South Wilts losing eight wickets for 41 runs in a catastrophic collapse which cost them victory over the Lions at Bemerton.

Openers Tom Cheater (48) and James Degg (32) put on 70 and after another positive knock by Harry Broderick (45), South Wilts were 146-2 and seemingly set to overhaul Bournemouth's total of 205.

But when Broderick was bowled by Ollie Breckon (3-32), the South Wilts innings fell to pieces.

Archie Fairfax-Ross and Ben Draper were among those to perish as the next five wickets fell for only 16 runs - two to left-arm spinner Connor Smith (2-22) - as South Wilts tumbled to 162-7.

Simon Woodruff (2-40) took two of the last three wickets to fall, Robbie Pack's one-handed catch to remove Aussie Ryan Freeman being Bournemouth's champagne moment.

Bournemouth did not make the best of starts and were 40-3, with Henry Dunlop (2-40) having Ben Rogers and South African Aidan Meyer caught behind.

But teenager James van Gool (57) got his head down and with support from Woodruff doubled the Lions score.

Tom Robinson, who later took two South Wilts wickets, made an important 33 but at 162-8 and after a three-wicket input by left-armer Fairfax-Ross (3-41), Bournemouth were still some way short of a competitive score.

Cue emerging Dorset prospect Connor Smith to clout a six and six boundaries in a quick-fire 41 to see Bournemouth to a more comfortable 205 all out.