Alton win close one at Badshot Lea

With a grassy wicket looking a tad green Alton skipper decided to bowl first - a decision that wasnt too popular on one of the hottest days of the year. When ever reliable bowler JP bowled a chect high full toss first up to Jon Gregry that got hit for 6, it looked like it may be a long day in the field. The veteral bowler through soon got his lines and got the first break through. Matt Jeffrey kept it tight from the other end and at the end of his spell was replaced by debutant Archie Robertson. Archie's pace made an immedite impact and during his explosive spell he picked up 3 wickets. He was supported ably by the ultimate 3D cricketer Steve Ball who picked up 3 of his own, inckuding the impressive Gregory for 43. Joe Norbury enjoys batting against Alton and once again posted a good score (43) before falling victim to Ball also. The Badshot Lea tail added some valuable runs, marshalled ably by Adam Frost, but once he was stumped off the Alton skipper, Green it was only a matter of time before Adami followed suit - not before hitting a huge 6. Badshot Lea all out for 172.

The Alton response was measured and deliberate at the start with Wilf Bridger and Will Roberts ticking along at a steady pace. Roberts was joined at the crease by Gemma Harper after Wilf walked after a faint leg side glance was taken by the keeper. The pair put on 47 for the second wicket with left handed Gemma punishing anything that drifted down the leg side. Martin Green joined Will at the crease and again put on valueable runs before, for the second time in the innings a leg side glance was eventually given by the umpire - Will out for 56. That started an avalance of Alton wickets as the middle order collapsed - Martin, debutant Sam Foskett and Steve Ball all followed in quick succession and to the delight of the hosts Alton were reeling on 116/6. Alton had to rebuild and thats precisely what the two Jons did - Porter playing very correctly and pushing singles, Wills defending stoutly and punishing the wide deliveries. After 40 mins of steady play Badshot played their trump card and brought their opener Adami back on. Adami cleaned up Porter in his first over and once again Badshot were favourites as Alton were 138/7 still a long way short o ftheir target. Nigel Craig then came to the crease and defended very corectly to the dismay of the locals, in fact he seemed to look more confident facing the quicker deliveries of Adami than the spin of Treen from the other end. That was the pattern of the next few overs Nigekl seeing off Adami and Jon Wills scoring off Treen. With 3 overs to go and all results still possible Wills hit three bounaries and suddenly the target was in sight. Nigel's stoic innings came to an end in the next over but Matt Jeffrey held out to gove Wills the chance to hit the winning runs the first ball of the next over. Great game of cricket Alton 23-1 winners.