Alton 23-1 winners against (former) league leagers

On a blustery day at Jubilee Alton hosted Tongham for the return fixture, following the Brewer’s superb run rate victory last week. Both teams were weaker on paper - Tongham without their opening bowler Porter and Alton without 6 of the team from last week due to holidays and availability. This time it was Alton’s skipper Green’s turn to win the toss and ask the visitors to bat – a theme that was consistent across the I-Anson League with only three skippers electing to bat first. Alton made early inroads with Tom Martin picking up Foot and Lewis Spittles in his first spell. Graham was then caught by Ball (one of his three catches) off Bramah Jnr and Wilf Bridger bowled good lines to remove Vass putting the Brewers well on top. Kieran Spittles (66) and Gaines (61) then put on a 100 partnership to bring the league leaders back into the game. Tongham ended their innings on an “above par” 209. Bridger and Ethan Orme picked up the big wickets with Bridger ending with an excellent 9-1-31-4.
Alton’s reply was initially a bit wobbly with Bridger, Bramah (Snr) and Fox not troubling the scorers too much before the key partnership of Ball (92) and Bramah (Jnr) (85) came together. It was obvious to all that this was the partnership for Tongham to break to win the game. The pair batted beautifully with Bramah’s reputation seeing the field set back from the start allowing him to pick off singles to see himself in. The pair chased down the target in a 150+ partnership with 5 overs to spare. Had Tongham taken their catches it would have undoubtably been a different story – but dropped catches are not recorded and the score book shows a fairly dominant chase by the Brewers. Frimely away next week – if we can raise a team!!