Stuart Taylor hit four sixes in Sparsholt fightback [all pictures by Bob Selly)
Stuart Taylor plundered a boundary laden 64 but was unable to spare Sparsholt a sixth Southern Premier League Cup defeat by Alton, who emerged 45-run winners at the Jubilee Ground.
Sparsholt, weakened by the permanent absence of skipper Jeremy Frith and the influential David Banks throughout the short-form 40-over competition, were already in trouble at 54-4 chasing Alton’s 210 when Taylor arrived at the crease.
But in never-say-die mode Taylor smashed four maximums and six fours in a no nonsense 64 before being caught (at 139-7) by Dan Scott (2-8), whose impressive new ball spell caused Sparsholt most of their early problems.
With no other batsman making 15, Sparsholt closed 165-9, Tom Paul taking 3-49 and Jude Wright returning a tidy 1-11 off seven overs.
Sparsholt, weakened by the permanent absence of skipper Jeremy Frith and the influential David Banks throughout the short-form 40-over competition, were already in trouble at 54-4 chasing Alton’s 210 when Taylor arrived at the crease.
But in never-say-die mode Taylor smashed four maximums and six fours in a no nonsense 64 before being caught (at 139-7) by Dan Scott (2-8), whose impressive new ball spell caused Sparsholt most of their early problems.
With no other batsman making 15, Sparsholt closed 165-9, Tom Paul taking 3-49 and Jude Wright returning a tidy 1-11 off seven overs.
One for the tv umpire ? Near run out drama during the Sparsholt innings [Bob Selly]
Earlier, Alton got a solid 41-run start but lost wickets to Mike Haworth (4-23) and Thomas Ley (2-45).
At 125-5 (Mike Heffernan 31), the Brewers were at a potential crossroads, but 19-year old Freddie Egleston (44) and Mark Heffernan (26) got the innings back on course before both fell to Will Matthews (3-28). They were all out for 210.
At 125-5 (Mike Heffernan 31), the Brewers were at a potential crossroads, but 19-year old Freddie Egleston (44) and Mark Heffernan (26) got the innings back on course before both fell to Will Matthews (3-28). They were all out for 210.
 Mark Heffernan hits out |  Getting all steamed up. The Watercress mid-Hants Railway line now in full view from the Jubilee ground. Bob Selly trainspotter. |
