Felix Organ It looks as though St Cross Symondians are going to have to settle for the runners-up spot in the ECB Southern Premier League.
Despite chasing down Alton’s competitive 216 and winning by five wickets, the Winchester club remains 30 points in the wake behind leaders South Wilts with two games left.
If South Wilts win at Alton on Saturday, they will be champions for the first time since 2015.
Hampshire’s Felix Organ and Jack Bransgrove hit half-centuries as St Cross beat Alton with 20 balls to spare at Winchester’s Green Jackets Ground.
Alton recovered from a disastrous start, losing left-hand opener Tom South, caught behind first ball, and Hampshire prospect Fletcha Middleton with only three runs on the board.
The ever-reliable Abhay Gonella (31) dropped anchor and provided an idea foil as Alton skipper Dan Harris made 73 before being run out. The pair added 118.
It was a 16-year old Winchester College student, Callum Whillock who turned the tide, quite literally.
Bowling his off-spin from the church end of the ground, he took 3-22, courtesy of two Ed Ellis stumpings and catch which removed Gonella.
“He didn’t bowl a bad ball in his ten-over spell and was definitely the catalyst to Alton losing five wickets for 23 runs at that point,” Ellis said of the teenager who cut his teeth in St Cross cricket as an eight-year old.
Ironically, it was another Winchester youngster Freddie Egleston (41), who raised Alton’s spirits and their total – the 2019 College vice-captain helping lift the Brewers from 144-7 to 216 all out, Joe Paul and Bash Walters providing handy support.
St Cross lost four wickets before their reply reached 100 – Joe Lewis being run out for 35 – but Felix Organ, who had earlier taken two late Alton scalps, steadied the ship and scored 60 (four sixes and four fours) in a match deciding partnership with Jack Bransgrove, who went on a make an unbeaten 57.
Simon Beetham’s 25 not out helped secure the five-wicket win.
Despite chasing down Alton’s competitive 216 and winning by five wickets, the Winchester club remains 30 points in the wake behind leaders South Wilts with two games left.
If South Wilts win at Alton on Saturday, they will be champions for the first time since 2015.
Hampshire’s Felix Organ and Jack Bransgrove hit half-centuries as St Cross beat Alton with 20 balls to spare at Winchester’s Green Jackets Ground.
Alton recovered from a disastrous start, losing left-hand opener Tom South, caught behind first ball, and Hampshire prospect Fletcha Middleton with only three runs on the board.
The ever-reliable Abhay Gonella (31) dropped anchor and provided an idea foil as Alton skipper Dan Harris made 73 before being run out. The pair added 118.
It was a 16-year old Winchester College student, Callum Whillock who turned the tide, quite literally.
Bowling his off-spin from the church end of the ground, he took 3-22, courtesy of two Ed Ellis stumpings and catch which removed Gonella.
“He didn’t bowl a bad ball in his ten-over spell and was definitely the catalyst to Alton losing five wickets for 23 runs at that point,” Ellis said of the teenager who cut his teeth in St Cross cricket as an eight-year old.
Ironically, it was another Winchester youngster Freddie Egleston (41), who raised Alton’s spirits and their total – the 2019 College vice-captain helping lift the Brewers from 144-7 to 216 all out, Joe Paul and Bash Walters providing handy support.
St Cross lost four wickets before their reply reached 100 – Joe Lewis being run out for 35 – but Felix Organ, who had earlier taken two late Alton scalps, steadied the ship and scored 60 (four sixes and four fours) in a match deciding partnership with Jack Bransgrove, who went on a make an unbeaten 57.
Simon Beetham’s 25 not out helped secure the five-wicket win.
Dan Harris top scored for Alton
