Debut win for Brewers

Alton returned to the top level of recreational cricket with a close-fought win against Havant in the Southern Premier League on Saturday.

It was a good all-round performance from the Brewers, who featured four new-boys, as they got over the line by two wickets to start their season in very positive fashion.

Alton won the toss and chose to bowl after the recent rainy weather, but the pitch looked even paced if understandably more bowler friendly.

A patient start from Havan’t two left handed openers saw them progress to thirty without loss before overseas bowler Bash Walters - returning for his third stint in Alton colours - tempted Ben Walker to feather a catch through to Mark Heffernan.

Tom Andrews, making his debut, then got in on the act as he removed Richard Hindley in similar fashion before Scott Myers took a smart slip catch to remove Harry Gadd off the same bowler.

Fellow debutant Tom Varney then took the wicket of Chris Stone without scoring to leave Havant struggling on 58-4

George Metzger looked assured for the home side and was the most free-scoring batter of the whole day as he moved Havant towards three figures, but he pulled a short ball down to Sam Ruffell (also on debut) to get Alton back on top.

Sonny Reynolds arrived at the crease and immediately struck the ball well, but Walters was recalled into the attack and removed him for a breezy 21.

Tom South (2-13) was introduced into the attack with his left-arm spin and bowled beautifully to pick up two quick wickets and fellow spinner and final debutant Dan Sumner (2-10) took two in a very controlled spell as Havant subsided to 148 all out.

Alton responded positively with South and Dan Harris taking the attack to the Havant seamers, approaching a fifty stand to give the Brewers a solid base to work from

Both hit the ball cleanly, but the ball was still moving about off the pitch and Harris (15) was the first to go as a delivery from Richard Jerry nipped back.

Alton then lost another four wickets for 22 runs, leaving them 73-5 as seamers Reynolds (0-19) and Kai Zeimkendorf (3-26) put pressure on Alton’s batters.

Howard Gadsby and Mark Heffernan advanced Alton past the hundred mark by being patient against the seamers - despite a few play and misses - and working runs when available against the spinners. They brought the winning line into closer view, before Zeimkendorf dismissed Gadsby (22) with a leading edge to mid-off.

Andrews (6) provided some support to Heffernan as they edged closer with a partnership of 25, before he was removed by Freddie Gadd, and when Sumner was dismissed without scoring it left Alton needing 11 with two wickets left.

Bash Walters used his experience and helped Heffernan, with a very calm and assured 37*, see Alton over the line for a two wicket win.

The Brewers will look to get another early season win as they travel to Burridge on Saturday (12:30)

*Alton’s 2nd XI game at home against Ryde was cancelled due to the conditions at home making it impossible to prepare a suitable pitch in the run up to the game. They are at home this weekend to local side Odiham & Greywell (12:30).