Tom South, maiden ECB Southern Premier Division century.
Tom South became one of the youngest batsmen to notch an ECB Southern Premier League hundred when he set up a thumping 133-run victory for the Hampshire Academy over Alton.
The 16-year old put his GCSE examination studies to one side to make a senior career-best 101, having arrived at the crease just as the Academy had lost two wickets in three balls at 68-3.
His maiden SPL century guided the Hampshire youngsters to a powerful 270 – a target Alton, restricted to 137-9, never threatened.
South, a product of the Highfield & Old Netley junior set-up, had to strap his pads on quickly after Dan Scott (2-34) had bowled George Pardoe (41) and George Metzger in the space of three deliveries.
But a handy 62-run stand with Fletcha Middleton (32) enabled the Academy to rebalance, though at 137-5 their innings was still in need of firm direction.
South took care if that, striking 16 fours in an impressive century, and adding useful runs with Mo Abbas (22) and the lower order before Kiwi Matt Bacon (4-58) made late inroads.
Ajeet Dale (4-31) nipped out Alton openers Michael Heffernan and Ryan Covey, before skipper Dan Harris (39) eased the Brewers to 90-2.
But the introduction of left-arm spin the shape of Abbas (3-21) saw Alton lose three wickets for only four runs – a mini-collapse which saw any hopes of a first win of the season disappear in a cloud of smoke down the Watercress steam railway line.
Dale returned to send another four Alton wickets tumbling for a mere three runs and the Brewers to a tame 137-9.
The 16-year old put his GCSE examination studies to one side to make a senior career-best 101, having arrived at the crease just as the Academy had lost two wickets in three balls at 68-3.
His maiden SPL century guided the Hampshire youngsters to a powerful 270 – a target Alton, restricted to 137-9, never threatened.
South, a product of the Highfield & Old Netley junior set-up, had to strap his pads on quickly after Dan Scott (2-34) had bowled George Pardoe (41) and George Metzger in the space of three deliveries.
But a handy 62-run stand with Fletcha Middleton (32) enabled the Academy to rebalance, though at 137-5 their innings was still in need of firm direction.
South took care if that, striking 16 fours in an impressive century, and adding useful runs with Mo Abbas (22) and the lower order before Kiwi Matt Bacon (4-58) made late inroads.
Ajeet Dale (4-31) nipped out Alton openers Michael Heffernan and Ryan Covey, before skipper Dan Harris (39) eased the Brewers to 90-2.
But the introduction of left-arm spin the shape of Abbas (3-21) saw Alton lose three wickets for only four runs – a mini-collapse which saw any hopes of a first win of the season disappear in a cloud of smoke down the Watercress steam railway line.
Dale returned to send another four Alton wickets tumbling for a mere three runs and the Brewers to a tame 137-9.
