Alton stumbled to defeat on Saturday with an abject performance at New Milton.
The day started badly for Alton, who got stuck in heavy traffic on the way to the New Forest, and things went from bad to worse once the game eventually started.
They were inserted on a green pitch on which they never settled. Openers Richard Morgan and Michael Heffernan seemed comfortable enough on reaching 30, but that was the only noteworthy contribution in the innings.
Once Heffernan was removed, there was a steady fall of wickets.
Some poor shot-making, combined with penetrative bowling, saw the home attack tear through the batting and Alton were skittled for a paltry 100 runs.
New Milton carried the momentum into their own innings, helped by a poor opening spell from Howard Gadsby. Julian Ballinger and Matt Ireson put the brakes on the chase, but it was never going to be enough to turn the game as opener Watts advanced to his fifty.
Ireson claimed the only wicket to fall, and Alton left with their tails firmly between their legs.
The defeat has put a dent in Alton's title challenge and they drop to second in the league. Rewards can still be reaped, but only if this aberration is forgotten and the form of previous weeks recaptured.
alton
M P Heffernan b Snellgrove 14
R Morgan c Beck b Neal 25
G Chalkley c Anderson b Neal 4
P Heffernan c Watts b Anderson 6
J Ballinger c Wilson b L Beck 19
B Oliphant c Wison b Snellgrove 3
M J Heffernan c Wilson b Anderson 5
H Gadeby c and b L Beck 1
M Ireson not out 4
J Halfacre lbw L Beck 0
A Tapp not out 0
Extras 19
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Total 100
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Bowling: A Snellgrove 2-31, B Neal 2-34, P Anderson 3-22, L Beck 3-11.
new milton
N Gargaro b Ireson 11
S Watts not out 58
R Wilson not out 14
Extras 20
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Total (for 1 wkt) 103
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Bowling: M Ireson 1-31.