Alton fell to a seven-run defeat against Hook & Newnham Basics in their Southern Premier Cricket League T20 quarter-final on Sunday.

Hook looked to be aggressive early on – and despite moving to 41 in quick time it was at the cost of three wickets. All three wickets taken by Walters. The third was the key wicket of Josh Buckingham – a steepling catch from young Sam Bridger saw the back of the Hook skipper for 23 off just 11 balls.

Sam Lockwood and Harry Robson then controlled proceedings as they added 92 for the fourth wicket. Lockwood was the aggressor – scoring 76 off 54 balls before being stumped by Mark Heffernan off the bowling of Tom South.

Freddie Egleston (two for 31) picked up two wickets, but Hook had moved to 165 for six. Robson was then run out for 31 as Hook closed on 181 for seven.

Alton’s reply started in the worst possible fashion as South fell in the first over – Aniket Divecha completing a rare wicket maiden in T20 cricket. Alton’s task was now 182 in 19 overs.

Dan Harris countered with some lusty blows off the bowling of Jack Murrell. Michael Heffernan – despite dislocating his finger in the warm-up – joined in as the pair added 50 runs in 36 balls.

Heffernan was next to fall for 29 as he gave up a simple chance to mid-wicket, with Alton now 67 for two. Things got worse for the Brewers as the in-form Scott Myers fell next ball.

Harris continued to be aggressive as he moved past 50, but when he fell for 61 off just 40 balls – which included ten fours and one six – Alton were 102 for four still needed 80 runs for victory.

Alton needed ten an over and continued to be positive.

Mark Heffernan scored 17 before he fell to backward point, and when Egleston fell for ten Alton were 130 for six. The required run rate was going up, but with Toby Salmon and Bash Walters at the crease the chase was still on.

Walters smashed his first ball over the ropes as he and Salmon set about causing some nerves in the home ranks. Alton required an unlikely 32 off the final two overs, but with two maximums in the penultimate over Alton were left needing 18 off the last.

Salmon smashed the first ball for four, leaving 14 required off five balls. Alton scampered a two off each of the next two balls, meaning they now needed ten off the last three balls.

It was not to be for the Brewers as Harry Warner held his nerve to wrap up victory for Hook by just seven runs. Walters ended on 29 not out and Salmon on 18 not out as Alton closed on 174 for six.

Alton’s second team continued their good run of form as they beat Easton & Martyr Worthy by four wickets last Saturday (August 6) in Hampshire County 1.

The visitors posted 188 for nine batting first – Nathan Vincent was the pick of the Alton bowlers with figures of four for 24.

The Brewers reached their target with almost ten overs to spare. Howard Gadsby top scored with a fine 57, and Sam Bridger (24), Nidish Gonella (26), Thomas Green (25) and Wilf Bridger (21 not out) added useful knocks.

The win sees Alton’s second team move away from the drop zone in Hampshire County 1.