Alton will face Tunbridge Wells in the ECB Vitality Club T20 regional final at the Jubilee Ground on Sunday (1300) after pulling off a dramatic victory over Eastbourne in which they lost fewer wickets in a match that ended in a 117-run apiece tie.
Scott Myers was the Brewers’ hero, scoring an unbeaten 47, having taken charge of proceedings with Alton requiring six runs off the last over to win but, if they lost no more than seven wickets, five to tie and so better Eastbourne’s 117-8.
Put into bat, Eastbourne (2019 Sussex T20 winners) got off to a steady if not explosive start as they moved to 38-1 after the initial six power play overs, South African Bash Walters clean bowling Ben Remfry (22).
Brendan Hildebrand (28) looked to attack but was caught behind by Mark Heffernan, one of the Alton gloveman’s six victims, five catches and a stumping. Three wickets for teenager Jude Wright (3-21) left Eastbourne wobbling at 85-5.
Spinner Freddie Egleston, a recent past Winchester College captain, was introduced and took 2-16 in his three overs before Eastbourne closed 117-8.
Dan Harris got Alton off to a positive start making 19 off 11 balls but scoring became difficult as he and then Tom South fell to put Alton 26-2.
A half-century between Mark Heffernan (15) and Myers put Alton in the driving seat but with the rate still at a run a ball it was not going to be easy. A flurry of wickets fell leaving the Brewers 112-7 going into that final.
With skipper Scott Myers in strike, Alton were still favourites - but the first two balls were dots and the Brewers still needed five. They trimmed it down to one run to tie off the final ball which Myers scored. Cue celebrations …
Tunbridge Wells comfortably beat Surrey Championship powermen Reigate Priory by four wickets in the second semi-final – but the Regional Final was cancelled after a storm struck the Jubilee.
Scott Myers was the Brewers’ hero, scoring an unbeaten 47, having taken charge of proceedings with Alton requiring six runs off the last over to win but, if they lost no more than seven wickets, five to tie and so better Eastbourne’s 117-8.
Put into bat, Eastbourne (2019 Sussex T20 winners) got off to a steady if not explosive start as they moved to 38-1 after the initial six power play overs, South African Bash Walters clean bowling Ben Remfry (22).
Brendan Hildebrand (28) looked to attack but was caught behind by Mark Heffernan, one of the Alton gloveman’s six victims, five catches and a stumping. Three wickets for teenager Jude Wright (3-21) left Eastbourne wobbling at 85-5.
Spinner Freddie Egleston, a recent past Winchester College captain, was introduced and took 2-16 in his three overs before Eastbourne closed 117-8.
Dan Harris got Alton off to a positive start making 19 off 11 balls but scoring became difficult as he and then Tom South fell to put Alton 26-2.
A half-century between Mark Heffernan (15) and Myers put Alton in the driving seat but with the rate still at a run a ball it was not going to be easy. A flurry of wickets fell leaving the Brewers 112-7 going into that final.
With skipper Scott Myers in strike, Alton were still favourites - but the first two balls were dots and the Brewers still needed five. They trimmed it down to one run to tie off the final ball which Myers scored. Cue celebrations …
Tunbridge Wells comfortably beat Surrey Championship powermen Reigate Priory by four wickets in the second semi-final – but the Regional Final was cancelled after a storm struck the Jubilee.