TWO wins from their final two games in this format would probably have seen Alton lift the Southern Premier League time pennant crown.

But despite a century stand by the Heffernan brothers and three wickets apiece for the Myers siblings, Alton’s hopes were dashed by relegation-threatened Hampshire Academy who registered only their second win of the season.

Scott Myers opted to bat first on a good Jubilee track, but Dan Hutton fell in the first over – lbw to Josh McCoy – and the loss of three more wickets in quick succession left the Brewers in deep trouble at 45-4.

Alex Hammond was caught behind off Chris Searle and skipper Myers played on against the off-spin of local boy Brad Taylor.

Abeed Janmohamed had looked good for his 25, but then played an expansive drive against Searle and was caught at point.

Mark Heffernan joined older brother Michael with both on nought and with a serious rebuilding job to do. Both played themselves in sensibly and Alton got back in the game as the scoreboard began to tick over.

Charlie Freeston rang the bowling changes in search of that elusive fifth wicket, but the brothers stood firm and moved their partnership to 100 at the lunch interval, when Alton were a much healthier 145-4.

There was still work to do and both Heffernans brought up their half-centuries before Mark skewed a Taylor full-toss to Searle and departed for 56 out of an excellent stand of 128.

Joe Paul added a useful 17 as he and Michael Heffernan saw up the 200 and Ben Mortimer gave the run-rate extra impetus as Alton, looking for bonus points, accelerated to 223-7.

Heffernan upped the tempo with a salvo of boundaries, taking him to 90 off 132 balls, but he was to miss out on his century. With overs running out, he was caught at long-on off Jake Goodwin.

Julian Ballinger struck a valedictory six and the Brewers closed on 249-9 from the maximum 64 overs.

Alton’s Achilles heel all season has been a tendency to leak early runs and it was no different this time as the young Academy side got off to a flyer, with openers Felix Organ and Taylor putting on 50 in rapid time.

Leg-spinner Jack Myers was called up early and promptly made the breakthrough. Taylor, having hit 30 from 22 balls, was dragged out of his ground and Janmohamed stumped the former Holybourne player.

From being 53-1, the visitors slipped to 81-3 – a wicket each for the Myers – but other chances were spurned and Hampshire reached tea without further loss.

The final session would decide an evenly-balanced contest. Goodwin and McCoy batted on as Alton persevered with their spinners, Jack Myers and Ballinger bowling 34 overs between them.

The county hopefuls had reached 154 when Jack Myers claimed his third wicket, Goodwin caught by Hutton for 39. Nine runs later, Ballinger trapped young keeper Billy Mead in front and the Academy were 163-5.

At that vital stage, Eli Samuels joined McCoy and the pair took the game away from Alton. Hampshire were also enjoying the rub of the green and McCoy advanced to 61 before eventually being caught at long-off by Michael Heffernan off Scott Myers.

George Pardoe was then bowled by the captain and with 23 wanted and three wickets standing, Alton sensed they could yet snatch victory.

Samuels kept his cool, however, and he and Searle eased their side home without further loss in the 55th over with 11 balls to spare. Samuels completed a match-winning, run-a-ball 50 off the last ball of the game.

An up-and-down performance by Alton who travel to second-placed Bashley this Saturday.