Winning Draw for Brewers

The Alton 4s Brewers, keen to avenge the hiding they got in the reverse fixture, elected to bat first on a good-looking Jubilee surface. Green and Wright got the hosts off to a steady start posting 62 for the first wicket before Green (22) was bowled by Ferguson, playing one shot too many. Milford took the chance to steady the rate and pressured the new batsman Bramah (snr) keeping the run rate down to 3 an over for the next 12 overs. A superb direct run out of Bramah by Ross Ferguson broke that partnership and saw the number 3 depart. With Ball joining Wright at the crease and the change bowlers on, the Brewers took their chance to pile on the runs. The pair rotated the strike excellently, taking the boundary options when offered – averaging 8 an over for the 100 partnership; young Devavasagayam picked up some “welcome to Alton” punishment going for 48 off his 3 overs. Alton declared after 36 overs with a score of 213 giving the visitors 44 overs to get the target, with Wright scoring a superb debut century (123*) and Ball 37. After tea Milford came out swinging and took on the Alton attack – after 15 overs the visitors were well placed at 77/1 and the declaration looked a generous one. The Alton skipper had little option but to switch back to Trim (12-3-27-2), who had been the pick of the bowlers thus far and to also introduce Steve Ball (11-3-27-4) into the attack. The next phase of play saw the Brewers take 2 key wickets and start to control the run rate. Frustratingly though for Alton more wickets did not fall, and there was a constant ebb and flow between securing the winning the draw and going for the outright win. When the late breakthroughs came in the 40th and 42nd overs, the win option was not there for either team, and despite Alton dangling a carrot, Milford closed out the game. On reflection Alton could have got more points by being more defensive and piling on the runs, but this was a game for the purists which showed the best and more frustrating elements of the time game. Alton winning draw 13-7.