Alton Cricket Club’s women’s team beat Aldershot by four wickets to seal their survival in Women’s Division One of the Hampshire Cricket League.

In mid-August Alton’s women’s team had a record of 11 defeats from 11 matches, with just three games to go. A maiden win against Hursley Park, combined with a Cove concession, suddenly gave Alton a chance of survival in Division One.

Needing two wins from the last two games to secure safety, the Brewers’ women won against New Forest to set up a final-day thriller against Aldershot.

The Brewers lost the toss and were asked to field first. For a while it was a familiar story with the Aldershot pairing of captain Ella Chandler and Jo Harfield-Brown putting on 60 for the first wicket before Gemma Porter bowled Harfield-Brown (26).

Isabel Poole (18) supported her captain and played some nice shots, before Chandler was enticed down the track and clean bowled for 30, beaten by the flight of the bowling of Amelia Marshall.

Emma Bentall (16) and Kirin Sahota (19) put up a spirited fight, but were removed by young Alton fast bowlers Anoushka Gadsby (one for 22) and Caitlin Wilmot (one for 14) respectively.

The all-round bowling and fielding performance from the Brewers was excellent, and they restricted Aldershot to 135 for six from their allotted 40 overs.

Chasing 136 to win, the visitors lost an early wicket before skipper Jorja Wright (34) and Porter (29) put on an important stand of 73 for the second wicket.

A flurry of wickets brought the hosts back into the game before the reliable Mel Vaggers (34 not out) put on useful stands with Tamsin Graveson and Lucy Butler to see the visitors home, and cue the celebrations as Alton retained their place in Division One for another season.