Hampshire Academy captain Felix Organ hit a century but it was his opposite number, Scott Myers, who held the key to Alton’s survival in a high scoring draw on the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground.
Organ’s 119, made during a prolific century-plus partnership with Fletcha Middleton (66) under-pinned the Academy’s 296-9.
But after Dan Harris’s 91 had powered Alton towards a threatening 195-3, the Brewers lost five cheap wickets in lurching to 220-8.
Due to the resilience of Myers, with an unbeaten 62, Alton held on for a draw at 262-8.
“It was a shame we were unable to bowl Alton out and get the win, especially as we had them eight down with a fair bit of time left,” Organ reflected.
“But credit Scott Myers and his partner who knuckled down well in the crucial closing stages and ultimately denied us victory.”
Organ hit a six and 16 fours in his 119 and shared a second-wicket stand of 124 with Middleton (66).
It was his second Premier League century, his maiden 125 coming against New Milton last season when the Academy made 299-3 and lost by five wickets !
“I tried to be a lot more positive than I was at Havant the previous week and Fletcha and myself rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard moving,” Organ added.
With opener George Metzger (26 in a 69-run opening stand), Tom Scriven (26) and George Pardoe (20) in support, the Academy posted 296-9, with Julian Ballinger’s 5-27 return his 23rd five-wicket haul in Premier League cricket.
Hard hitting South African Marco Marais got Alton off to a stunning start, smashing two sixes and three fours (24 in boundaries) in a ten-ball 27.
But when he was caught off Chris Searle (4-66) and Alex Hammond was bowled by the catcher, Tom Scriven soon afterwards, Alton were 28-2.
Michael Heffernan (40), with 234 runs in six knocks, and Dan Harris added 116 – the former Northampton Saints batsman going on to strike 17 boundaries in a fine 91 as the Brewers began to threaten at 195-3.
But when Harris was run out, Alton lost their way and the fall of five wickets for 25 runs saw them facing defeat at 220-8.
However, skipper Myers (below) was still there, passing his third half-century of the season and proving impossible for Organ’s six-pronged attack to shift.
He went on to make an unbeaten 62 and with Devyn Scott as his partner, guided Alton to the safety of 262-8 and a draw.
Organ’s 119, made during a prolific century-plus partnership with Fletcha Middleton (66) under-pinned the Academy’s 296-9.
But after Dan Harris’s 91 had powered Alton towards a threatening 195-3, the Brewers lost five cheap wickets in lurching to 220-8.
Due to the resilience of Myers, with an unbeaten 62, Alton held on for a draw at 262-8.
“It was a shame we were unable to bowl Alton out and get the win, especially as we had them eight down with a fair bit of time left,” Organ reflected.
“But credit Scott Myers and his partner who knuckled down well in the crucial closing stages and ultimately denied us victory.”
Organ hit a six and 16 fours in his 119 and shared a second-wicket stand of 124 with Middleton (66).
It was his second Premier League century, his maiden 125 coming against New Milton last season when the Academy made 299-3 and lost by five wickets !
“I tried to be a lot more positive than I was at Havant the previous week and Fletcha and myself rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard moving,” Organ added.
With opener George Metzger (26 in a 69-run opening stand), Tom Scriven (26) and George Pardoe (20) in support, the Academy posted 296-9, with Julian Ballinger’s 5-27 return his 23rd five-wicket haul in Premier League cricket.
Hard hitting South African Marco Marais got Alton off to a stunning start, smashing two sixes and three fours (24 in boundaries) in a ten-ball 27.
But when he was caught off Chris Searle (4-66) and Alex Hammond was bowled by the catcher, Tom Scriven soon afterwards, Alton were 28-2.
Michael Heffernan (40), with 234 runs in six knocks, and Dan Harris added 116 – the former Northampton Saints batsman going on to strike 17 boundaries in a fine 91 as the Brewers began to threaten at 195-3.
But when Harris was run out, Alton lost their way and the fall of five wickets for 25 runs saw them facing defeat at 220-8.
However, skipper Myers (below) was still there, passing his third half-century of the season and proving impossible for Organ’s six-pronged attack to shift.
He went on to make an unbeaten 62 and with Devyn Scott as his partner, guided Alton to the safety of 262-8 and a draw.
