Former Hampshire batsman Laney hits century – but St Cross are stunned by lowly Alton in Southern Premier League shock

Former Hampshire batsman Jason Laney, seen here having just been dismissed against Portsmouth in 2020, struck a century for St Cross in the SPL yesterday - but still finished on the losing side. Picture: Keith Woodland

Laney’s 102 off 113 balls helped St Cross post a daunting 281 total at Jubilee Fields against an Alton side who hadn’t previously tasted league victory in 2021.

But Abhay Gonella, skipper Daniel Harris and Scott Myers all hit half-centuries in reply as Alton celebrated a stunning six-wicket top flight victory with nine balls remaining.

Winchester-born Laney scored over 4,400 first class runs for Hampshire in 85 games between 1995 and 2002.

He had been skippering St Cross 2nds this season prior to being called up for his first 1st XI appearance of the year against Alton.

His 102 equalled his previous SPL best for his hometown club - for St Cross 2nds against Paultons in 2019.

St Cross also called up teenager Harry Trussler, who the previous week had struck a glorious SPL Division 1 century – 144 - against Portsmouth.

He made 28 and Hampshire pro Brad Taylor (1) fell cheaply before No 6 Harry Foyle (77) helped Laney add 156 for the fifth wicket before Laney fell on 261.

Julian Ballinger - now on 794 career wickets for Alton according to online site Play Cricket - bagged 5-40 as St Cross were bowled out off the last ball of their 40 overs.

South African pace bowler Bash Walters, who had been due to play for Havant in 2020 prior to the pandemic, also impressed with 4-38 off10 overs.

Hampshire’s Fletcha Middleton (29) and Tom South (26) made starts for Alton before a third wicket stand of 102 between opener Gonella (73) and Harris (56 off 57 balls) gave the hosts the initiative.

Myers (60 off 42 balls) and Ryan Hale (14 not out) then added an unbroken stand of 57 for the seventh wicket to ease Alton to a formbook-busting success.

*Bournemouth are the new table-toppers after hammering Hook & Newnham Basics by 117 runs.

Opener Nick Park (51) and No 3 Luke Webb (57) put on 108 for the second wicket as Bournemouth posted 206-7/

The first three Bournemouth bowlers used - openers Dan Conway (2-36) and Ollie Breckon (1-15) and first change Ed Denham (2-21) - then reduced Hook to 70-6.

Matt Love (21) top scored as Jake Hurley (3-7) helped rout Hook for 89 - extras (19) the second highest total.

*The Hampshire Academy are second after two wins in two days at the weekend.

Toby Albert, 18, blasted a career best 151 in Saturday’s victory over 2019 champions Bashley (Rydal).

He hit 22 fours and two sixes in a 137-ball knock that helped his side post 306-9. In doing so, Albert shared a 141-run third wicket stand with Harry Broderick (56).

Albert could only make two yesterday but the Academy still beat Burridge by two wickets with four balls remaining.

Dan Stancliffe and Oli Southon (2-39) both claimed a wicket as the Academy dipped to 7-2 against Burridge, but Broderick (62) and Charlie Mumford (39) added 108 for the third wicket.

Burridge still appeared slight favourites when the Academy were 164-7 (Hilio De Abreu 3-33), but Dominic Kelly (33) and Harry Petrie (11 not out) added 30 for the eighth wicket.

De Abreu (37) and Chris Blake (29) had put on 71 for the fourth Burridge wicket, but at 138-8 they looked set for a low score.

No 7 Stancliffe, though, hit an unbeaten 51 in adding 36 for the ninth wicket with Will Candy (9) and a further 23 for the last wicket with Sullivan White (7 not out).