Alton’s 2nd XI won by six wickets away to Portsmouth’s 2nd XI at a windswept St Helen’s in the Hampshire League Division 1 on Saturday.

Early morning rain meant a delayed start and 38 overs per side. Alton won the toss and elected to field.

Tom Andrews started economically and got his reward by removing Payne for 13, Hale completing the catch at first slip to leave Portsmouth 17 for one.

Matt Crane replaced Varney, and when he removed Eales for 16 the home side had moved to 58 for two.

A partnership of 97 between opener Musthaffa and Mitchell frustrated the visitors as the score moved past 150. Musthaffa made his half century before a yorker from Wilf Bridger removed him for 60.

Andrews returned to finish his spell and picked up Eales for 58 to end with two for 26 off his eight overs.

Portsmouth tried to up the run rate and Alton took just one more wicket, courtesy of a run out, as the hosts made 213 for five.

Despite losing Ethan Van De Linde early, Alton made an explosive start. Ryan Hale scored 40 off 29 balls, striking eight boundaries.

Portsmouth turned to spin and Hale could not resist, being caught on the boundary to leave Alton 70 for two. Michael Heffernan joined skipper Andy Postles.

Postles moved to a run a ball 31 before he also fell to the spin of Randell, the ball sneaking through to bowl him as the visitors slipped to 86 for three.

Howard Gadsby joined Heffernan, and despite being three wickets down the scoring rate was not an issue. The pair were able to build what would turn out to be a match winning partnership.

They added 126 for the fourth wicket to move Alton to within touching distance. Needing just two to win, Gadsby managed to hit a full toss straight to deep midwicket as he was caught for 41 off just 38 balls.

Heffernan remained and struck his 17th boundary as Alton cruised home to win by six wickets. Heffernan ended with 89 not out off 84 balls.