A LOW-SCORING ecb Southern Premier League match in the New Forest had everything as Alton defeated promoted New Milton by two runs in a pulsating finish
Scott Myers lost the toss for the fifth week running and Alton were inserted on a hard Fernhill surface that looked good for batting. But the visitors made an awful start and were 2-2 after ducks for skipper Myers and Dan Hutton.
The in-form Abeed Janmohamed then shared stands of 35 and 29 with Alex Hammond and Michael Heffernan and with ample overs in this first ‘Time’ game, Alton accumulated slowly until Heffernan had a rush of blood and was bowled by the economical Nick Gargaro (2-31 in 18 overs). At 66-4, Alton had plenty of work to do.
Janmohamed and Mark Heffernan made it through to lunch and Alton sensed that anything around 175 could be a competitive total. But running misjudgements cost them dearly. Janmohamed was run out for a patient 41 off 125 balls and when Heffernan went the same way for 36, Alton were 130-6.
George Watts returned to take two more wickets (146-9), but a last-wicket stand between Toby Salmon and Julian Ballinger added 16 vital runs and Alton closed on 162-9 after 64 overs. It could have been a lot worse. New Milton, despite their superb ground fielding, put down a number of chances.
Alton had to put their opponents under pressure from the start and Dan Scott made an early breakthrough when a sharp gully catch by Michael Heffernan removed the experienced Nick Park with only eight on the board.
New Milton advanced to 24-1 before a double breakthrough by Ben Mortimer had them wobbling at 24-3.
Skipper James Park and Nick Elliott dug in against the fired-up Brewers and added 57 to give their side the edge.
Alton turned to experienced off-spinner Ballinger who duly delivered. A fantastic one-handed catch at first slip by Scott Myers saw the end of left-hander Elliott for 30 and New Milton were 81-4.
Ballinger promptly found the edge again, but Myers this time missed the catch and talented all-rounder James Haggaty and Park looked to make Alton pay.
Park dropped anchor as Haggaty went on the attack and the pair looked to be taking the game away from Alton as the score passed 130.
Myers’ last throw of the dice was to bring on brother Jack Myers and recall Mortimer.
Paceman Mortimer obliged and a nasty delivery leapt up to take the gloves and the solid Park was gone for 41 off 121 balls.
At 135-5, Milton were still in control, needing only 28 runs for victory, but further shockwaves hit the home dressing-room as Mortimer trapped Toby Edwards second ball.
Myers then produced a dramatic over. Mark Heffernan held a juggling catch to remove Lee Beck and the spinner bowled Dan Loader; 142-8.
Watts joined Haggaty who reached his 50 and with only five runs needed, the game was New Milton’s to lose.
Haggaty, looking to relieve the pressure, drove the returning Scott uppishly and Scott Myers took a spectacular diving catch.
At 158-9, the tension rose a few more notches as overs passed and no runs were scored.
Going into the last over, New Milton were three runs from victory. Scott bowled three dot balls. On the fourth, non-striker Watts called for a single, only to be turned back. Hutton picked up the ball and calmly threw it to Scott who broke the stumps, giving the Brewers the most unlikely of victories.
A distraught New Milton were left still searching for their first win.
Scott Myers lost the toss for the fifth week running and Alton were inserted on a hard Fernhill surface that looked good for batting. But the visitors made an awful start and were 2-2 after ducks for skipper Myers and Dan Hutton.
The in-form Abeed Janmohamed then shared stands of 35 and 29 with Alex Hammond and Michael Heffernan and with ample overs in this first ‘Time’ game, Alton accumulated slowly until Heffernan had a rush of blood and was bowled by the economical Nick Gargaro (2-31 in 18 overs). At 66-4, Alton had plenty of work to do.
Janmohamed and Mark Heffernan made it through to lunch and Alton sensed that anything around 175 could be a competitive total. But running misjudgements cost them dearly. Janmohamed was run out for a patient 41 off 125 balls and when Heffernan went the same way for 36, Alton were 130-6.
George Watts returned to take two more wickets (146-9), but a last-wicket stand between Toby Salmon and Julian Ballinger added 16 vital runs and Alton closed on 162-9 after 64 overs. It could have been a lot worse. New Milton, despite their superb ground fielding, put down a number of chances.
Alton had to put their opponents under pressure from the start and Dan Scott made an early breakthrough when a sharp gully catch by Michael Heffernan removed the experienced Nick Park with only eight on the board.
New Milton advanced to 24-1 before a double breakthrough by Ben Mortimer had them wobbling at 24-3.
Skipper James Park and Nick Elliott dug in against the fired-up Brewers and added 57 to give their side the edge.
Alton turned to experienced off-spinner Ballinger who duly delivered. A fantastic one-handed catch at first slip by Scott Myers saw the end of left-hander Elliott for 30 and New Milton were 81-4.
Ballinger promptly found the edge again, but Myers this time missed the catch and talented all-rounder James Haggaty and Park looked to make Alton pay.
Park dropped anchor as Haggaty went on the attack and the pair looked to be taking the game away from Alton as the score passed 130.
Myers’ last throw of the dice was to bring on brother Jack Myers and recall Mortimer.
Paceman Mortimer obliged and a nasty delivery leapt up to take the gloves and the solid Park was gone for 41 off 121 balls.
At 135-5, Milton were still in control, needing only 28 runs for victory, but further shockwaves hit the home dressing-room as Mortimer trapped Toby Edwards second ball.
Myers then produced a dramatic over. Mark Heffernan held a juggling catch to remove Lee Beck and the spinner bowled Dan Loader; 142-8.
Watts joined Haggaty who reached his 50 and with only five runs needed, the game was New Milton’s to lose.
Haggaty, looking to relieve the pressure, drove the returning Scott uppishly and Scott Myers took a spectacular diving catch.
At 158-9, the tension rose a few more notches as overs passed and no runs were scored.
Going into the last over, New Milton were three runs from victory. Scott bowled three dot balls. On the fourth, non-striker Watts called for a single, only to be turned back. Hutton picked up the ball and calmly threw it to Scott who broke the stumps, giving the Brewers the most unlikely of victories.
A distraught New Milton were left still searching for their first win.