Alton win rain affected game against Burridge

When the teams arrived at Jubilee the sun was out - 2 hours before that though the heavens had opened, and unfortunately water had flowed under the covers at the lower end of the pitch. For a while it was touch and go as to whether the game would go ahead, but after some super sopping, blanket soaking and grass spreading we got the game on with a 30-a-side game agreed. Alton skipper Gadsby won the toss and asked Burridge to bat, a brave call knowing that all her seamers would have to operate from one end with a wet run up at the skateboard park end. The plan worked fantastically though with Martha Bilsland, Abi Green and Gemma Connolly bowling a combined 15-3-35-1. Molly Abley, Gemma Porter and Nic Gadsby tied up the bowling from the other end with Abley and Gadsby picking up a brace of wickets each. Burridge tried to accelerate towards the end of their inning but despite the best efforts of Loren Dean the cautious opening meant that they only posted 86/5 after 30 overs. That was never likely to be enough runs, despite the pitch playing up more and more as it dried out - Alton did though do their best to make a game of it, starting off very slowly; and when Porter (11) was out caught by Mandy White (who was more surprised than anyone!) quickly followed by Amelia Marshall, cleaned up by Dean, and then Sara Heffernan caught by Molly White off Dean, the game was in the balance. The balance quickly turned Burridge's way when Ceri Harris removed Gemma Harper (10) lbw and Abi Green two balls later - certainly the silence from the dugout suggested the visitors were on top. The depth in Alton's batting line up though ultimately proved too much for Burridge - with their strike-bowlers bowled out, the Alton pairing of Sarah Cray (25) and Martha Bilsland (21) were able to increase the run rate and build a 48 run partnership, comfortably chasing down the target with 4 overs to spare. After her match winning contribution we now say goodbye to Martha who sails West to continue her studies at Cardiff. Ten minutes after the end of the game, news of Aldershot's victory against Hursley Park filtered through; Alton Ladies secure in the knowledge that once again the league championship is in their hands. Only the small matter of an upbeat Aldershot to navigate next week!!