Walker shines but Alton hang on to deny Havant

Skipper, Walker crashed 16 fours in his 156 and along with Stuart Ransley (74) helped the home side declare at 307 for seven.

The home side looked on course to win when Alton were 60 for four at tea.

But the visitors managed to bat out for a draw on 165 for eight.

Chris Morgan was the pick of the Havant bowlers, taking five for 46 off 21.1 overs.

‘It was an excellent hard-fought contest,’ said Havant vice-captain Andrew Gorvin.

‘Though it was disappointing not to win we can take a lot of positives from it.

‘Ben Walker produced a fantastic innings which was very controlled throughout.

‘He took responsibility and helped set the game up for us.

‘Along with Stuart Ransley he made sure there was no way Alton could win it.

‘We threw everything at them in the end but couldn’t dislodge them.’

Rhidian Chapman produced a devastating spell of bowling to set Hambledon on their way to a five-wicket win at Bashley (Rydal II) in division two.

Chapman took four wickets for 19 runs, which included 13 wides, to dismiss the home side for 119 runs.

George Marshall (52) guided the visitors to victory.

Gosport Borough slumped to a comprehensive 125-run defeat against St Cross Symondians at Privett Park.

It was a second successive home defeat for Borough in division three.

Gosport vice-captain Lee Harrop was disappointed to see the poor run of form continue.

He said: ‘Apart from our overseas player Michael Ruffell none of us are batting well.

‘The only consolation was we showed an improvement on last week’s shambles against Ryde.

‘On a good wicket St Cross batted sensibly.

‘We didn’t help our cause by dropping two or three catches and ended up chasing a big total of 294 for three.

‘When batting a number of us got in only to play a loose shot and get ourselves out.’

Waterlooville enjoyed a four-wicket success over Lymington II at Rowlands Avenue.

Archie Reynolds (three for 13) shone as the visitors were bowled out for 118 runs.

Sam Hillman (34) and Jon Hudson (24) saw the home side to victory.

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