Ben Thane 121* [Dave Vokes]
Ben Thane struck his first Basingstoke & North Hants century, hitting an unbeaten 121 as the Bountymen chased down Alton’s 240-8 to win by five wickets at the Jubilee Ground.
Thane, who joined the May’s Bounty set from neighbours Hook & Newnham Basics this season, hit 13 boundaries, carrying his bat through Basingstoke’s innings.
The all-rounder was in the action from the very start, snapping up South African Marco Marais off the first ball as the match got off to an amazing start.
With his very next delivery, Martyn James took a return catch off Alex Hammond to leave Alton 0-2 – off the first two balls of the match.
Half-centuries by Michael Heffernan (56) and Dan Harris (53) gained Alton a foothold in the game, but the opener’s dismissal at 140-3 triggered an Ash Neal inspired mini-collapse, which saw three wickets fall for two runs.
Scott Myers continued his excellent form (364 runs in eight knocks) with an unbeaten 91 (one six, nine fours) and with support from the Salmon brothers guided the Brewers to 240-8.
Although several of Thane’s partners perished along the way, Basingstoke kept the scoreboard ticking with various 40-plus partnerships, Dan Belcher (21) and Mitch Stokes (31) supporting the centurion.
When Julian Ballinger (3-57) took his third wicket, Alton sniffed a chance at 185-5, but the Welshman ran out of overs.
David Griffiths (26 not out) joined Thane in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 57 which got Basingstoke home.
Thane, who joined the May’s Bounty set from neighbours Hook & Newnham Basics this season, hit 13 boundaries, carrying his bat through Basingstoke’s innings.
The all-rounder was in the action from the very start, snapping up South African Marco Marais off the first ball as the match got off to an amazing start.
With his very next delivery, Martyn James took a return catch off Alex Hammond to leave Alton 0-2 – off the first two balls of the match.
Half-centuries by Michael Heffernan (56) and Dan Harris (53) gained Alton a foothold in the game, but the opener’s dismissal at 140-3 triggered an Ash Neal inspired mini-collapse, which saw three wickets fall for two runs.
Scott Myers continued his excellent form (364 runs in eight knocks) with an unbeaten 91 (one six, nine fours) and with support from the Salmon brothers guided the Brewers to 240-8.
Although several of Thane’s partners perished along the way, Basingstoke kept the scoreboard ticking with various 40-plus partnerships, Dan Belcher (21) and Mitch Stokes (31) supporting the centurion.
When Julian Ballinger (3-57) took his third wicket, Alton sniffed a chance at 185-5, but the Welshman ran out of overs.
David Griffiths (26 not out) joined Thane in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 57 which got Basingstoke home.
