Cup holders BAT Sports are within one victory of a third successive Rose Bowl appearance in the Southern Electric Cup final.

They crushed Alton by 64 runs at Southern Gardens last night to join South Wilts in next Tuesday's semi-final draw.

BAT, who have won the cup for the past two years, never looked back after a powerful start by James Hibberd (46) and Lee Savident (29).

They lost three wickets for 23 runs two of them to Julian Ballinger but forged on to post an unassailable 173-5 through Rob Franklin (32) and Adam Hayes (32).

Alton were never at the races and managed only 109-7 (Scott Myers 40) in reply, Terry Rawlins taking 3-20.

A telling spell of 3-14 in five overs proved crucial as South Wilts narrowly defended 122-7 to beat Andover by six runs at Bemerton.

James Hayward (22) and Rob Wade (22) top scored for SW, who were under pressure as Mark Williams (34) and Nick Palmer (24) took Andover's reply to 65-2.

But Draper's left-arm bowling removed the Andover middle-order and despite an unbeaten 16 by Tim Saye, the visitors came up short on 116-7.

The other two quarter-final ties take place tonight (6.15), with Bashley (Rydal) entertaining Bournemouth at the BCG and Havant hosting neighbours Portsmouth at Havant Park.