SPCL Div 1 - Brewers start with a win

Looking to banish the disappointment of losing their premier league status after 15 years the Brewers began life in division one with a tough trip to National Village knockout champions Calmore. With the hosts unbeaten at home in last season’s campaign Alton knew they were in for a tough afternoon. Alton’s side consisted of three debutants but with Scott Myers returning to captains duty there was a familiar spine to the team.

Alton’s bowling attack was once again bolstered by the return of South African overseas Basheer ‘Bash’ Walters as he took the new ball alongside debutant Arul Appavoo. Calmore made watchful start and despite the pitch lacking in any real pace Walters produced a wonderful delivery to the dangerous Ben Johns, leaving the ball only to find it clip the top of his off stump. Brewers had their first wicket and it was soon two when Walters clean bowled young Marcus Bound reducing Calmore to 25 for 2. Johnson joined Brewster as the home side looked to steady the innings. Appavoo bowled economically only going for 20 runs off his 7 overs but it was skipper Myers who made the next breakthrough in fortunate fashion. A full toss was misjudged by Brewster who spooned a simple catch to Salmon at mid on for 32. Calmore were now 79 for 3.

The slow left arm of Tom South and medium pace of Myers was proving difficult for the home side to get away however Johnson and Bailey managed to move the score to 121 before South got his reward removing the later for 20. One paddle shot too many saw Bailey bowled and Calmore 4 down. Myers completed his allocation taking 1 for 29 and South 1 for 39. Johnson stood firm for the home side and was beginning to try and increase the rate. In a busy partnership he and Manning put the Alton fielders under pressure as they added 57 for the 5th wicket with Johnson passing his half century. One risk too many though saw Manning run out for 19. With one stump to aim at Michael Heffernan made no mistake with Manning well short of his ground. With Johnson tiring and overs ticking by his fine innings came to an end as he was caught at mid-wicket by Walters off the bowling of Abhay Gonella. He made 77 off 82 balls and had ensured the home side would post a very competitive total.

The removal of Johnson did allow the Brewers to control the scoring in the final overs 180 for 6 was soon 190 for 8. The returning Salmon who had struggled in his opening spell found his rhythm as he and Walters traded wickets. Salmon removing the home skipper Lavelle for 5 and Walters saw the back of Steve Wright without scoring. Walters finished with 3 for 36 on his return to Alton colours. Salmon then completed the job picking up 2 more wickets, bowling Carty for 3 and a fine diving catch behind the stumps by keeper Mark Heffernan brought proceedings to a close as Calmore finished on 206 all out with one over remaining. Salmon ending with 3 for 53 and Ben Perry not out for 15.

Alton would have been fairly happy with their work at the half way point but with the home side being very effective in their own conditions Alton knew they were in for a tough chase.

The slow nature of the pitch meant free scoring was not easy and this proved to be the case. Harris looking to break the early shackles and get Alton off to a quick start, but was halted in his tracks as he was caught at cover for 8 off the bowling of Croft. Mark Heffernan joined Gonella and whilst not being in too much trouble scoring was proving very difficult. Gonella tried to engineer a scoring opportunity, but ran past a delivery from Ben Perry and found himself stumped for 22. Myers had to try and be positive in order to up the rate but when he was caught by Lavelle giving Perry his second wicket Alton were 59 for 3 at the half way point.

The Heffernan brothers came together knowing that with the rate pushing up to six runs an over something had to give. Elder brother Michael chanced his arm and it came off in spectacular fashion. Taking the attack to the opposition produced a flurry of boundaries and with Mark finding his timing the pair added 50 runs in 48 balls and moved the score past three figures. Alton now required 107 runs off the remaining 17 overs. There was still work to be done but Michael Heffernan continued his onslaught as he moved to 50 off 33 balls. The Heffernan’s added 91 in quick time to ensure Alton were in the contest but when Mark Heffernan holed out to deep midwicket off a full toss for a patient and gritty 48 Alton were now 149 for 4.

Michael Heffernan continued to try and take the game away from the home side as he struck 3 more maximums in quick time to move the score to 170 before one shot too many ended his explosive innings. He ended with 78 off just 49 balls including 4 fours and 6 sixes. The Brewers were within in touching distance as they required a further 37 runs for victory however was there a final twist in the tail. Having gained the initiative the visitors put the game back into the balance as 170 for 5 was soon 170 for 7. Overs were no longer the issue but wickets were running out. Walters joined Crane as the pair looked to edge Alton closer. They added 15 but after a monstrous 6 Walters tried again only to be caught Alton now 185 for 8, 22 runs still required.

Toby Salmon entered the fray and his day and luck continued to get better, both Crane and Salmon kept their nerve moving Alton ever closer to their winning target. Salmon looked to release the pressure and the increasing nerves, he was dropped not once but twice on the boundary as Alton picked up vital runs. Salmon composed himself and off the 5th ball of the penultimate over he struck the ball through the covers for 4 to give the Brewers the start they desperately craved. Salmon ended on 19 not out and Crane a vital 6 not out as Alton completed a remarkable turnaround to win by two wickets.

Alton face another tough away assignment this Saturday as they travel to Sarisbury.