Ben Walker forces through the covers. Terry Nash picture.
Ben Walker struck his 11th Southern Premier League century for Havant as they romped to a 116-run victory against rock bottom Alton, who have lost all three games.
The left-hand opener hit 12 fours in his 123-ball innings of 101 as the hosts posted 260-6 off their 50 overs at Havant Park. They later bowled the Brewers out for 144.
Of Walker’s 11 centuries, eight have been scored for the 1st XI in the top flight of the SPL - and this was his third against Alton.
In 2016, he compiled 156 and 125 against them - the two highest scores of his prolific Havant career, where his first century had been scored against Bournemouth in 2008.
In his latest hundred, Walker shared in stands of 94 and 68 for the first and fourth wickets with Peter Hopson (44) and Harry Gadd (37).
Walker, who returned to Havant from champions Bashley (Rydal) over the winter, was the star of the show; his running between the wickets was, as always, terrific and he combined this with some fine boundaries all the way round the ground.
South African Bash Walters, who was due to be Havant’s overseas player for the 2020 season prior to the pandemic wrapping its tentacles around the worldwide sporting calendar, was in the Alton side and took 1-39. Promising teenage all-rounder Jude Wright (2-27) was Alton’s best bowler.
Alton's reply never got going. They lost their skipper Daniel Harris (8) to a beauty from opening bowler Richard Jerry in the third over. The seamer also picked up the wicket of Hampshire 2nd XI prospect Fletcha Middleton for a 26-ball 25.
This left Havant’s three-pronged spin attack to attack Alton’s middle order. Richard Hindley, Freddie Gadd and Morgan all bowled well with Hindley being the standout performer with figures of 3-16 off 10 overs.
Wicket-keeper Mark Heffernan top scored with an unbeaten 38 but Alton were bowled out for 144
in the 37th over to lose by 116 runs. Simon Carter, The News, Portsmouth
The left-hand opener hit 12 fours in his 123-ball innings of 101 as the hosts posted 260-6 off their 50 overs at Havant Park. They later bowled the Brewers out for 144.
Of Walker’s 11 centuries, eight have been scored for the 1st XI in the top flight of the SPL - and this was his third against Alton.
In 2016, he compiled 156 and 125 against them - the two highest scores of his prolific Havant career, where his first century had been scored against Bournemouth in 2008.
In his latest hundred, Walker shared in stands of 94 and 68 for the first and fourth wickets with Peter Hopson (44) and Harry Gadd (37).
Walker, who returned to Havant from champions Bashley (Rydal) over the winter, was the star of the show; his running between the wickets was, as always, terrific and he combined this with some fine boundaries all the way round the ground.
South African Bash Walters, who was due to be Havant’s overseas player for the 2020 season prior to the pandemic wrapping its tentacles around the worldwide sporting calendar, was in the Alton side and took 1-39. Promising teenage all-rounder Jude Wright (2-27) was Alton’s best bowler.
Alton's reply never got going. They lost their skipper Daniel Harris (8) to a beauty from opening bowler Richard Jerry in the third over. The seamer also picked up the wicket of Hampshire 2nd XI prospect Fletcha Middleton for a 26-ball 25.
This left Havant’s three-pronged spin attack to attack Alton’s middle order. Richard Hindley, Freddie Gadd and Morgan all bowled well with Hindley being the standout performer with figures of 3-16 off 10 overs.
Wicket-keeper Mark Heffernan top scored with an unbeaten 38 but Alton were bowled out for 144
in the 37th over to lose by 116 runs. Simon Carter, The News, Portsmouth
