With another hot day on the cards, Alton 2XI hosted St Cross 2XI at the JCG. A big toss win from the skipper got Alton into bat first as they looked to post a big score to put the pressure on the visitors.

Alton started brightly with Michael Heffernan (55) scoring freely. By drinks the brewers had passed 70-1 and were well poised, but as Heffernan fell the visitors got back into the game. However Alton kept building, as Joey Paul (34) and Sam Bridger (pictured) with 57 kept the scoreboard moving as they pushed the hosts into a strong position.

In spite of Paul falling, the runs carried on flowing, and when Athey reached 40 overs, it looked as if a final push for 300 could be on the cards. As the set batters fell this target was missed, but a final score of 263 looked an imposing total at the halfway stage.

However, the visitors looked up for the chase early on. Pushing through with the help of some early luck, St Cross were able to begin putting together some threatening partnerships. Whilst Alton's seam attack did take some key wickets, the opposing captain was able to put the pressure back on the bowlers.

But it was at this point that the debutant Cameron Beal (4-41) decided to put his mark on the game. With some crucial wickets he was able to turn the tide back in Alton's favour, and as the squeeze was put on, the home side was able to close out the game.

A crucial win for Alton, in spite of some fierce resistance, made it 2 from 2 in the club against St Cross for the weekend. A good result for the brewers brings them back into the top half of the table, ready for a big push in the second half of the season.