Alton verses Badshot Lea

After the debacle of the previous week where Alton were rolled for 79 it was no surprise that when offered the chance at the toss the Alton’s skipper chose to bowl first against an experienced Badshot Lea XI. Steve Ball (4-1-10-1) and debutant Gemma Connolly (9-2-28-1) opened the bowling with Ball picking up the opening scalp in his 4th over. Matt Jeffery (6-1-31-2) then picked up two quick wickets, one to a great forward diving catch by Nigel Craig. The grand plan had been to get to 22 overs and then bring on the usual openers of Trim and Porter but when Ball ran out of steam after only 4 over, plans had to change, and Trim entered the attack early. Sweet (51), the opener from Badshot Lea, swung at anything in his arc and soon reached his half century. Experience eventually told though and Trim changed the game with 3 wickets in 7 balls, including Sweet for a plumb LBW. Alton thought that the back of the Badshot Lea batting had been broken but Treen (49) and Norbury (43) had other ideas and put on a superb 70 partnership. Connolly eventually clean bowled the dangerous Treen in her second spell, after several close calls; she was ably supported by Porter (7-0-35-2). The innings was brought to an end on 170 – which, despite being a tough target for Alton, was probably slightly below par for the pitch and quick outfield. Badshot Lea started well with Adami picking up the wickets of Gemma Harper and Julia Moulton in successive balls – the latter to a late in swinging Yorker. That brought one of Alton’s most promising youngsters to the crease, Amelia Marshall. Badshot Lea were well aware of the threat that Marshall brought and when she gave a half chance, a deflection to slip, it was taken athletically by Treen, in what was probably the champagne moment of the day, taking the score to 30/3. Alton knew that they now had to dig deep. Steve Ball (85*) joined skipper Martin Green (57*) and for the second time in 3 weeks Alton managed a huge partnership to see a game out. This time it was an unbroken 4th wicket partnership of 143 to take the victory and 3 bonus points. Great team performance from Alton.