Ben Walker pulled up three runs short of his first Southern Electric Premier Division century in five seasons when he was dismissed for 97 by Alton at the Jubilee Ground.
But his innings set up a crushing 160-run by Havant, who skittled their opponents for 80.
Walker’s nine-boundary knock under-pinned Havant’s 240-9 and, with a top-of-the-table clash with South Wilts looming this weekend, proved the ideal pick-me-up after last week’s shock defeat by St Cross Symondians.
His century third-wicket stand with Stuart Ransley (29) pointed Havant towards a decent total – the left hander eventually being eighth out at 217.
“‘Ben played really, really well. It was a very patient innings, the pitch wasn’t easy to play on and it moved around all day. At times the ball came on and at times, it didn’t. But he ran particularly well and got an awful lot of twos. It was a good partnership between him and Stu so that gave us a foundation,” reflected Havant player-coach Pete Hopson..
South African teenager Brad Wheal, who made his County Championship debut for Hampshire against Middlesex last week, spearheaded the Havant attack.
But he went wicket-less, leaving Jez Ord (4-18) to nip out four of Alton’s top order and leave the hosts 53-5.
Chris Morgan (3-15) cashed in as Alton sank to 80 all out.
“Our fielding and our bowling was a lot better this week. I think it was just about making sure that we play well enough to win, even when we are not at It wasn’t our best cricket but maybe the pitch didn’t allow us to play our best cricket. We did more than enough to win the game.
“Jez Ord bowled fantastically well. It was his type of pitch with a bit of nip. If you got it in the right area, it offered you something off the seam and he would beat people. Our spinners bowled really well because the pitch gripped. But it was a good day all round as we got maximum points.’
But his innings set up a crushing 160-run by Havant, who skittled their opponents for 80.
Walker’s nine-boundary knock under-pinned Havant’s 240-9 and, with a top-of-the-table clash with South Wilts looming this weekend, proved the ideal pick-me-up after last week’s shock defeat by St Cross Symondians.
His century third-wicket stand with Stuart Ransley (29) pointed Havant towards a decent total – the left hander eventually being eighth out at 217.
“‘Ben played really, really well. It was a very patient innings, the pitch wasn’t easy to play on and it moved around all day. At times the ball came on and at times, it didn’t. But he ran particularly well and got an awful lot of twos. It was a good partnership between him and Stu so that gave us a foundation,” reflected Havant player-coach Pete Hopson..
South African teenager Brad Wheal, who made his County Championship debut for Hampshire against Middlesex last week, spearheaded the Havant attack.
But he went wicket-less, leaving Jez Ord (4-18) to nip out four of Alton’s top order and leave the hosts 53-5.
Chris Morgan (3-15) cashed in as Alton sank to 80 all out.
“Our fielding and our bowling was a lot better this week. I think it was just about making sure that we play well enough to win, even when we are not at It wasn’t our best cricket but maybe the pitch didn’t allow us to play our best cricket. We did more than enough to win the game.
“Jez Ord bowled fantastically well. It was his type of pitch with a bit of nip. If you got it in the right area, it offered you something off the seam and he would beat people. Our spinners bowled really well because the pitch gripped. But it was a good day all round as we got maximum points.’
