Alton secured a vital 69-run victory over third-placed Lymington on Saturday, a result that saw them maintain their title challenge in second place in the ECB Premier Division table.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a sunny afternoon, Alton's innings was anchored by captain Scott Myers and a late-innings blitz from Fred Egleston. After a couple of early wickets to Eddie Withington (2-42), Myers (79 from a patient 118 balls) steadied the ship. He was joined by Ben Rolfs (42), and the pair put on a crucial 78-run partnership before Mo Abbas (2-59) triggered a middle-order wobble.

However, the momentum shifted decisively with the arrival of Fred Egleston, who smashed a blistering 68 not out from just 44 balls. Egleston and Myers put on a further 67 runs in 64 balls, before Egleston, aided by Tom South (13), guided Alton to a formidable total of 266/8 from their 50 overs, with a huge 22 runs coming from the final over.

In response, Lymington's chase started brightly with Mo Abbas blasting 22 from just 8 balls, before being removed by Bash Walters. Robbie Hemmings top-scored with 63 runs, including 11 fours, and put on a 63-run partnership with Ronnie Patel. However, Alton's bowlers were persistent and began to turn the screw.

Lymington looked in a strong position, needing less than five an over, but the game turned on a dramatic collapse. Tom South was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-42 to dismantle the middle order.

He was ably supported by Dan Sumner (2-33) and Jude Wright (2-27), who both claimed key wickets. Ben Rolfs also got in on the action, getting the crucial wicket of Lymington captain Gareth Berg (15) to finish with figures of 1-14.

Lymington's lower order offered little resistance, collapsing dramatically as the last four wickets fell for just five runs. They were bowled out for 197 to give Alton the victory and keep them firmly in the title race.