SECOND-PLACE Southgate Adelaide had a difficult, long journey to third-placed Ampthill Town on Saturday, and passed the test with flying colours as they romped to a ten wicket victory.

The Bedfordshire side elected to bat and Brian Cohen and Dan Fitzpatrick made the opening pair watch carefully. At the drinks break, they were 58-2, but then skipper Matt Fitzpatrick, exploiting the conditions with some fine seam bowling, and left armer Bradley Isherwood, carved through the middle order, causing the hosts to lose their last eight wickets for twelve runs.

Fitzpatrick ended up with 4-8, and Isherwood 3-10. Fine fielding from Hance and Ellwood also contributed to two run outs.

In response, openers Craig Lyte, with two sixes, and Martyn Chandler romped to the total in just 14.2 overs, leaving Ampthill with no points out of the game.

With leaders Northampton Exiles losing, they will be looking over their shoulders and seeing Adelaide just four points adrift from them, having smashed one of their promotion rivals.

It also leaves Adelaide 62 points clear of fifth place with four sides getting promoted.