The 1 st XI ventured to Winchester on a warm sunny Saturday for their away fixture
against a strong St Cross line up. Losing the toss and being sent in, two early
wickets were steadied by Sam Ruffell and captain Scott Myers, the latter notching a
patient fifty that anchored the team’s innings.

Ruffell made a patient 45 before being dismissed by Gregor McKenzie, who went on
to take a five-wicket haul. Jude Wright and Fred Egleston played good middle-order
cameos to keep the team total ticking with captain Myers, before a late flurry of
wickets saw the Brewers bowled out for 203 inside 56 overs.

Despite an early swing of the bat from the St Cross openers, Jude Wright nabbed
the first breakthrough thanks to a great catch from Zach Gadsby at fine leg. While
Hampshire’s Felix Organ played a patient knock at one end, Alton spinner Dan
Sumner proved lethal on the dry St Cross deck, ripping through their strong middle
order to leave them reeling at 110/8. Sumner finished with figures of 5/36 from 13
overs, including the late wicket of Organ for 42.

From there the St Cross tail wagged for a period, inching their way towards Alton’s
203 total, however a Fred Egleston mystery delivery swiftly put an end to the chase,
their number 10 out hit wicket.

With the win, Alton move into 4th in the table at the halfway stage of the season,
remaining undefeated so far in the red ball fixtures.

They take on South Wilts at home in next week’s fixture.