Alton fell to their first Hampshire League Division 1 defeat of the season despite producing a strong batting display.

Most weeks scoring 181 would be enough to secure the win.

But despite their confident batting display, spearheaded by Amelia Marshall’s fine 69, the Brewers fell 35 runs short of an unlikely target of 216 to beat St Cross.

The hosts had earlier set the above-par target after being assisted by an unusually-poor fielding display from the Brewers.

St Cross’ Finty Trussler (89) and PJ Watkins (68) made the most of the chances presented to them and piled on a 144-run partnership, broken only by a boundary catch from Sara Heffernan, with Trussler pushing for her maiden century.

Marshall also picked up her partner Watkins, tempting her to advance down the track and miss the ball for a stumping by Julia Moulton.

Josie Morris had earlier made the initial breakthroughs, knocking over the top three batters for 16 off her excellent six overs.

With Marshall at the crease the chase looked achievable, but once Freeland had caused a low-bouncing delivery to clean bowl her, the target looked ominous.

A few over later it looked impossible as Mel Vaggers, who had launched a counter attack, fell to the same bowler.

Morris played some nice shots at the end of the innings to complete a good day for the Bath student, but the Brewers will undoubtedly be looking to improve their fielding before the visit of newly-promoted Odiham at the Jubilee Cricket Ground.