James Hayward struck his third century in five matches but was unable to save defending ECB Southern Electric Premier League champions South Wilts from a four-wicket defeat by Lymington at Bemerton.

He struck a battling 104 not out after the Salisbury side had slumped to 40-5, but New South Wales batsman Scott Henry, with an unbeaten 84, piloted Lymington past a 200-target with eight overs to spare.

Hayward described South Wilts’ top order batting as “impatient” – a series of poor shots culminating in Matt Metcalfe running through the early order for the second time this season Metcalfe took 9-51 against South Wilts in the Time pennant match between the sides in June – and threatened to repeat the feat with the new ball.

Returning 4-19 in his ten-over spell, he dismissed Steve Riddle, Tom Cowley, Tom Morton and James Hibberd as South Wilts keeled over.

Ryan Burl, in his farewell game, perished to Dave Kidner.

With support from Joe Cranch (38) and Owen Also, Hayward applied himself to the task and was rewarded with a richly deserved unbeaten century, which raised South Wilts’ total to 199-7.

Lymington reached a period of uncertainty at 45-2, but a century third wicket stand between Henry and Darren Cowley (44) effectively sealed South Wilts’ fate.

During the stand, Riddle fell heavily in the field and was taken to hospital with damaged right shoulder ligaments which will sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Burl (3-29) unsettled Lymington’s progress with three wickets in quick succession – but Henry’s presence continued to loom large at the non-striker’s end.

When Lymington slipped to 158-6, South Wilts maintained an outside chance of victory, but Henry found a reliable partner in Simon Beetham, who helped the visitors across the line with an undefeated 24.

Despite a third 50-over pennant defeat, South Wilts remain two points ahead of Ventnor with three games to play.

But with Eddie Abel (broke arm) and Riddle (dislocated shoulder) nursing long-term injuries and Burl returning today to his native Zimbabwe, their playing resources are stretched.

l South Wilts' ECB Club t20 Cup dreams ended with a 29-run defeat by national champins Wimbledon in yesterday’s South region finals at Beckenham.

Chasing Wimbledon’s 160-5, they rallied from 88-8 to finish with 121.