Toby Albert opens up for Academy [Howard Gadsby]
Toby Albert and Hampshire all-rounder Chris Wood dug the Academy out of potential trouble and steered them to a nervy four-wicket win over Alton, who battled hard to defend a modest 151-run total.
In fact, with the Young Hawks 73-5 at one stage, it looked as though the Brewers might win their first ECB Southern Premier Division match of the season. But it was not to be.
Bowlers called the tune for the greater part of the game at the Jubilee Ground, with only three batsmen making more than 25, among them Hampshire prospect Fletcha Middleton, left below, who top scored for Alton with 38 in his first knock since breaking his finger in a county second team match.
Alton were going nicely at 85-2 but the Brewers lost direction once Middleton became the first of four victims for promising Millfield leggie Kamran Khanna (riught below)(4-29), who triggered a mid-innings collapse by adding Scott Myers, teenager Jude Wright and Mark Heffernan to his list of victims.
Left-armer seamer James Trodd finished with 3-32 as Alton’s last five wickets fell for 24 runs.
In fact, with the Young Hawks 73-5 at one stage, it looked as though the Brewers might win their first ECB Southern Premier Division match of the season. But it was not to be.
Bowlers called the tune for the greater part of the game at the Jubilee Ground, with only three batsmen making more than 25, among them Hampshire prospect Fletcha Middleton, left below, who top scored for Alton with 38 in his first knock since breaking his finger in a county second team match.
Alton were going nicely at 85-2 but the Brewers lost direction once Middleton became the first of four victims for promising Millfield leggie Kamran Khanna (riught below)(4-29), who triggered a mid-innings collapse by adding Scott Myers, teenager Jude Wright and Mark Heffernan to his list of victims.
Left-armer seamer James Trodd finished with 3-32 as Alton’s last five wickets fell for 24 runs.
Left-armer seamer James Trodd finished with 3-32 as Alton’s last five wickets fell for 24 runs.
South African Bash Walters (3-51) proved more than a handful for the Academy, who dropped to 27-3. Not too long after half the team was back into the pavilion for 73.
It left significant responsibility on the young shoulders of 18-year old Newbury youngster Toby Albert and Chris Wood, who was raised in Alton and studied at the town’s sixth form college before joining the county.
Amid plenty of playing and missing, the pair turned the tide with a crucial 48 partnership before Wood (32) was caught and bowled by the Eastern Province seamer. At 121-6, the outcome was in the balance.
Joined by another Millfield aspirant Dominic Kelly, who made an important 16, Albert now became the senior partner – a role he relished to progress to 41 not out and win the match for the Academy .. with four wickets and 15 overs to spare !
South African Bash Walters (3-51) proved more than a handful for the Academy, who dropped to 27-3. Not too long after half the team was back into the pavilion for 73.
It left significant responsibility on the young shoulders of 18-year old Newbury youngster Toby Albert and Chris Wood, who was raised in Alton and studied at the town’s sixth form college before joining the county.
Amid plenty of playing and missing, the pair turned the tide with a crucial 48 partnership before Wood (32) was caught and bowled by the Eastern Province seamer. At 121-6, the outcome was in the balance.
Joined by another Millfield aspirant Dominic Kelly, who made an important 16, Albert now became the senior partner – a role he relished to progress to 41 not out and win the match for the Academy .. with four wickets and 15 overs to spare !
Breakthrough ! Chris Wood is caught and bowled by Bash Walters for 32.
Alton chairman Julian Ballinger floats up a Watercress Line Santa Special delivery.
... and now piles on the pressure with a massive lbw shout. Umpire Huw Evans says 'no' ...
