Fourth placed Alton produced an inspired display with bat and ball, bowling Liphook & Ripsley out for 127 before polishing off the target in 16 overs to achieve a seven-wicket win.
The victory kept Alton within ten points of Calmore Sports (137 points) and one behind Sarisbury Athletic, the two clubs above them and trailing in the wake of Division 1 leaders Rowledge. It was Liphook’s seventh defeat in eight and leaves them adrift at the bottom.
Alton, seeking some consistency, won the toss and bowled first at Ripsley Park, where Liphook’s opening partnership of Ryan Covey (36) and Rob Nicklin (31) – both former Brewers – got the hosts off to a positive start.
Covey looked comfortable as he went about his business, putting away anything loose. Liphook eased past 50 before he misplaced a short ball from Michael Salmon and Howard Gadsby made good ground to complete a smart catch in the deep.
Liphook’s danger man had been removed – but the home side were still well placed at 59-1.
Alton clawed back the rate and when South African Bash Walters was brought back into the attack, the change of ends for the Western Province seamer seemed to do the trick.
A well-directed short ball rushed George Munt, who could only glove the ball down the leg side, with Mark Heffernan taking the catch to leave Liphook 84-2.
Nicklin remained and despite an earlier blow to his elbow from Walters was digging in – but runs were hard to come by.
The left-arm spin of Freddie Egleston (left above, pictured by Howard Gadsby) was introduced and when the past Winchester College captain removed George Neave for three, Liphook were now 93-3 and now inside the last 20 overs.
Nicklin tried to increase the rate but in doing so he was caught by Egleston for 31, Walters claiming his second wicket to leave the score 93-4.
Alton then seized control as Egleston’s left-arm spin bamboozled the Liphook middle order as he took a further three wickets, ending with figures of 4-14.
There was no let up for Liphook as the Brewers introduced the pace of Toby Salmon, who picked up 2-15 before Walters ended proceedings, taking 3-15 as Liphook crumbled from 84-1 to 128 all out.
Alton’s plan was clear from the outset as they went on the attack. Ryan Hale struck early boundaries but some aggressive bowling from Neave saw him bowled for 14 and Alton were 20-1.
Mark Heffernan joined Dan Harris and the pair continued their form from the previous week, adding 35 before Harris fell for 27 off 26 balls.
Scott Myers came in with Heffernan and in no mood to let the home side settle – and when Covey came into the attack, Heffernan immediately struck him for a maximum back over his head.
Heffernan did give up a chance but Nicklin failed to take it on the boundary, injuring him in the process. Liphook had already lost one fielder to injury and when Nicklin also had to leave the field, the Brewers’ batters had plenty of gaps to play with.
Scott Myers took advantage, scoring at a quick rate. With rain clouds looming, the pair added 65 in quick time. Heffernan, keen to get the job done, chased a wide delivery from Liphook captain Burton, edging the ball to the grateful gloves of Munt for an enterprising 33 from 32 balls.
With only eight runs required, Michael Heffernan came in to hit the winning runs, captain Myers ending on 40 off just 23 balls. fARNHAM hERALD
The victory kept Alton within ten points of Calmore Sports (137 points) and one behind Sarisbury Athletic, the two clubs above them and trailing in the wake of Division 1 leaders Rowledge. It was Liphook’s seventh defeat in eight and leaves them adrift at the bottom.
Alton, seeking some consistency, won the toss and bowled first at Ripsley Park, where Liphook’s opening partnership of Ryan Covey (36) and Rob Nicklin (31) – both former Brewers – got the hosts off to a positive start.
Covey looked comfortable as he went about his business, putting away anything loose. Liphook eased past 50 before he misplaced a short ball from Michael Salmon and Howard Gadsby made good ground to complete a smart catch in the deep.
Liphook’s danger man had been removed – but the home side were still well placed at 59-1.
Alton clawed back the rate and when South African Bash Walters was brought back into the attack, the change of ends for the Western Province seamer seemed to do the trick.
A well-directed short ball rushed George Munt, who could only glove the ball down the leg side, with Mark Heffernan taking the catch to leave Liphook 84-2.
Nicklin remained and despite an earlier blow to his elbow from Walters was digging in – but runs were hard to come by.
The left-arm spin of Freddie Egleston (left above, pictured by Howard Gadsby) was introduced and when the past Winchester College captain removed George Neave for three, Liphook were now 93-3 and now inside the last 20 overs.
Nicklin tried to increase the rate but in doing so he was caught by Egleston for 31, Walters claiming his second wicket to leave the score 93-4.
Alton then seized control as Egleston’s left-arm spin bamboozled the Liphook middle order as he took a further three wickets, ending with figures of 4-14.
There was no let up for Liphook as the Brewers introduced the pace of Toby Salmon, who picked up 2-15 before Walters ended proceedings, taking 3-15 as Liphook crumbled from 84-1 to 128 all out.
Alton’s plan was clear from the outset as they went on the attack. Ryan Hale struck early boundaries but some aggressive bowling from Neave saw him bowled for 14 and Alton were 20-1.
Mark Heffernan joined Dan Harris and the pair continued their form from the previous week, adding 35 before Harris fell for 27 off 26 balls.
Scott Myers came in with Heffernan and in no mood to let the home side settle – and when Covey came into the attack, Heffernan immediately struck him for a maximum back over his head.
Heffernan did give up a chance but Nicklin failed to take it on the boundary, injuring him in the process. Liphook had already lost one fielder to injury and when Nicklin also had to leave the field, the Brewers’ batters had plenty of gaps to play with.
Scott Myers took advantage, scoring at a quick rate. With rain clouds looming, the pair added 65 in quick time. Heffernan, keen to get the job done, chased a wide delivery from Liphook captain Burton, edging the ball to the grateful gloves of Munt for an enterprising 33 from 32 balls.
With only eight runs required, Michael Heffernan came in to hit the winning runs, captain Myers ending on 40 off just 23 balls. fARNHAM hERALD