Seaside blues for Brewers

Both teams entered the game week with the same record as Alton were forced into two changes to their team, debutant Nathan Vincent and veteran Howard Gadsby came into the side.

Having won the toss, Alton chose to bat on a slightly slow and dry Portsmouth wicket. Despite a start by Daniel Harris (22), Alton’s top-order failed to make meaningful contributions. A middle-order recovery by Scott Myers (41) and Tom South (14) meant that the Brewers recovered from 48-4 to 90-4. However, Alton’s innings was impeded by the loss of wickets at regular intervals. The fall of Myers, South and Walters meant that Alton was struggling at 98-7 after 24 overs. This brought Howard Gadsby back to the crease, who was playing his first game for the 1st XI since 2016. A steady and watchful Gadsby managed the situation adeptly as he, accompanied by the explosive nature of Toby Salmon (50), made 57 crucial runs. As the Alton recovery ensued, both batsmen played a range of aerial and ground strokes, showing the top order that runs came by easily with some application. Eventually, their 108 run partnership ended with Salmon holing out to long-on as Alton finished on a respectable 209-8.

Portsmouth's reply in stark contrast started very well. A sedate Ben Duggan made 112* not out as he put on 89 for the opening wicket with Jack Marston. Despite this, a couple of quick wickets, courtesy of tight bowling by Scot Myers (10-2-30-2), meant Alton were buoyant with the score placed at 89-2. Nevertheless, Duggan and James Christian ensured that any hopes of an Alton comeback were dismissed as both of them put on an 82 run partnership. The consolation wicket of Christian by South (8-0-28-1) brought Daniel Wimble to the crease, but Duggan batted through the innings, as he handled the tight bowling of Gonella, Salmon and South at the end of the innings to see Portsmouth get over the line with 8 balls to spare.

Alton will seek to return to winning ways as they take on Ventnor at home next week.