Alton earned a winning draw at Totton & Eling in the Southern Premier Cricket League Premier Division.

Alton went into the final timed game of the season knowing they needed to come away with a positive result.

Once again skipper Scott Myers was on the wrong end of the toss – home skipper Brighton Mugochi elected to take advantage of damp conditions and asked Alton to bat.

Freddie Egleston and Ryan Hale went out to face the new ball. The pair were watchful but positive early on – Hale latched on to anything short while Egleston worked the ball around on a drying outfield. Josh Elliot was brought into the attack, and he made the breakthrough. Egleston latched on to a short wide delivery only to see it fly straight to Billy Blyghton at point – who made no mistake with the catch. Egleston was out for 20 and Alton were 38 for one.

Skipper Myers stepped into the number three slot as he and Hale added 43 before a false shot from Hale saw him depart for 36. Sam Beer (three for 47) took the wicket, with Josh Taylor completing a simple catch at mid-wicket.

Myers was positive and took on the spin of Joe Bracey.

However, the ball was still moving off the surface for the seamers and Beer produced a good delivery to beat the Alton skipper’s defences as he was bowled for 25 and Alton were 94 for three.

Young Sam Ruffell was looking comfortable at the crease and he and Daniel Harris – in a new role at number five – added 70 runs in quick time. Alton went in for lunch in a good position at 164 for three.

Alton looked to capitalise on their good start, but stumbled a little after lunch as Harris fell immediately after the break – Mugochi bowled Harris for 29.

Michael Heffernan joined Ruffell but was trapped leg before wicket by Mugochi for 13 to leave Alton on 182 for five.

Ruffell was not finished, though, and played positively with Tom South. Totton were unable to take advantage of a couple of difficult chances and Ruffell made them pay. His timing was impeccable as he struck ten fours and three sixes on his way to a magnificent century off just 109 balls.

With Alton looking to declare before the 60-over mark to take the losing draw out of the game, Ruffell plundered three more fours before finally being caught by Billy Lightfoot in the deep for 115 to leave Alton on 274 for six.

Bash Walters came and went for three, but South remained unbeaten on 33 as Alton declared on 280 for seven in the 60th over. The positive declaration from skipper Myers meant the home side had 61 overs to try to chase it down.

Alton looked for early inroads but were frustrated. Walters and Tom Andrews bowled well but had no luck.

The dangerous Bothwell Chapungu was given a life – Walters thought he had his man when Chapungu was late on a pull shot but Alton failed to hold on. Despite no wickets the run rate remained under control, with Blyghton struggling to get ball away.

Tea came with the home side happy with their start.

Alton had some luck after tea as confusion between the Totton openers saw Blyghton run out for 28 to leave them 69 for one.

Tom Varney replaced Walters and the game edged the Brewers’ way. Varney trapped Joe Baker on the crease for five and with his tail up he made the vital breakthrough – removing Chapungu. Chapungu had made 50 off just 62 balls but was bowled by Varney to leave Totton on 89 for three.

Alton turned to spin and a double breakthrough from off-spinner Dan Sumner saw Totton slump to 123 for five.

Sumner bowled Lightfoot for six before spinning the perfect off-spinning delivery through the gate to bowl Josh May for four. Alton looked set to push for victory, but skipper Mugochi had other ideas.

Elliott was unbeaten on 24 and looked to hold up an end, while the Totton skipper looked to be more positive.

Alton became sloppy in the field but the returning Varney (three for 55) bowled Mugochi for 32 to leave Totton on 189 for six. There were plenty of overs available for Totton to push for a win, but they decided to block out for the draw.

Alton tried to create chances, but on a pitch that had become fairly docile chances were few and far between. Elliott remained steadfast, ending unbeaten on 57 off 117 balls. Taylor made an unbeaten 23 as Totton closed on 233 for six.

Alton took the winning draw and collected vital points to close the gap at the bottom of the Premier Division table.

The Brewers will host Bournemouth at the Jubilee Playing Fields today (Saturday).