County duo see the 4s home by 1 wicket

With a depleted team due to the half term break the Brewers were anxious not to repeat the debacle of the last away performance. Luckily the skipper, Green Snr won the toss and had the assurance of asking Farncombe to bat first. The U17 duo of Abi Green and Gemma Connolly, opened the bowling and surprised the batsman with their pace and accuracy. The pair kept the score to less than 3 an over for the first 12. Farncombe then pushed on and with the score approaching 80 it took the introduction of the ultimate 3-dimensional cricketer Steve Ball to make the break through removing the dangerous Ekins Jnr for 41. Connolly Snr then replaced his daughter and took another wicket before the drinks break which left the game level pegging but with Farncombe still threatening a 170+ score. After drinks the same pair continued and the runs dried up with excellent fielding all round from Alton. That set the scene for the opening duo to return and blast away the tail, which they did in style. Green Jnr got 2 in 2 balls and not to be beaten Connolly Jnr repeated the feat in the next over. Farncombe were bowled out for 135. The Alton response got off to a great start with Roberts and Wills putting on a half century opening partnership. Once again though quick wickets fell and the Brewers went from 52/0 to 58/4 in no time. Alton’s third county youngster Rachel King then put on a 30 partnership with the skipper that steadied the nerves somewhat. King was bowled and when Jeffrey followed swiftly afterwards the Brewers knew that once again they would be reliant on the bat of Ball, hopefully supported by Connolly Snr. The pair got us close but another quick pair of wickets it eventually fell to the duo of Green Jnr and Connolly Jnr to see the game home; and despite one runout chance the pair batted beautifully and secured the victory with 2 overs to spare. Alton 20 pts Farncombe 4