Portchester v Alton II – 17.05.08
Posted by Admin on May 18, 2008
County Division 1 League Match at Alton
Portchester (7pts) 189 for 6 lost to Alton II (20pts) 160 for 6 (reduced target – 35 overs)
Alton II won by 4 wickets
Match report by Paul Hungerford
With rain in the air, Portchester chose to bat first on a cold and wet day at Alton.
Conditions were difficult at the start on a sticky [uncovered?!] wicket, with Alton openers Halfacre and Kessler bowling very well in the conditions. Rich Locke played well for his 20 but wickets fell regularly, leaving the innings precariously placed on 106 for 6 off 35 overs with No.8 Steve O’Neill having just come to the crease. Then the rain fell. The break helped us, with the ball now skidding off the pitch making it easier to time. Shaun Kelly and Steve batted very well in partnership together, hitting boundaries and running well to put on 83 together in the remaining 13 overs. They scored 65* and 37* respectively in a fine partnership of 83 which took our final total after the 48 overs to a competitive 189 for 6.
After the calculations had been worked out, Alton required 160 to win off 35 overs. Paul Hungerford (6 overs, 1 for 20) made an early breakthrough taking the wicket of R. Morgan. Ed Jordan run out No.3 R. Nicklin with a sharp bit of fielding and return to the Dave O’Neill at the bowler’s end. However the left handed W. Davies (31) and E. Hubbard batted well together to get Alton back on track. 2 wickets fell, caught and bowled by Shaun (5 overs, 1 maiden 2 for 27) and Rhett claimed 1, bowling W. Williams round his legs in what were very difficult conditions for the spinners. The final wicket fell to a run-out by Rich with a hard-flat throw from the boundary. Hubbard played a fine innings though, running aggressively and hitting boundaries regularly on his way to 59* to win the game for his team with 3 overs remaining.
Another loss, but this was an improvement on last week, particularly the fielding (it couldn’t have been any worse!) which was commendable in tough, slippery conditions. Portchester will look to break their winning duck with the visit of newly promoted Pylewell Park to the School next week.
Match Photographs
Portchester v Alton II Volume 1 of 2
Portchester v Alton II Volume 2 of 2
