After a tight loss to high flying Sparsholt last week, Alton 2XI travelled to Odiham looking to go one step further this week.

On a very dry deck, Alton chose to bat first, and in spite of a couple early wickets, Michael Heffernan (48) returned from holiday in style as he got Alton off to a flyer.

The third wicket partnership with Joe Paul (30) took Alton passed 120, but they began to stumble in the middle period, as they lost continual wickets through the period.

Fortunately, at this point Arul Appavoo (40) came to the crease, and he led some invaluable rear guard action as Alton were able to make there way up to 232 all out.

By this stage the pitch was really starting to break up, and so Alton felt they had a good total on the board, but any nerves they did have were immediately put away by Appavoo's opening spell. His relentless accuracy, and crafty use of the conditions found him 4 wickets with the new ball - including dismissing the dangerous Odiham overseas pro first ball.

While Odiham did fight back through the middle, they were always behind the rate thanks to a consistently strong effort from the Alton bowling. Appavoo was then ultimately called upon to close out the game, and taking the final wicket he was able to clinch a well earned, maiden Alton fivfer - finishing with figures of 5-21.

An incredible all round performance from Appavoo took Alton back to winning ways as they look to climb further up the table in the final month of the season.