ST CROSS Symondians held off a spirited Alton fightback to secure an eight-run win over the Brewers, who have slipped to second from bottom in the SPL Premier Division.

Defending 205-7 at the Jubilee ground, the Winchester side reduced Alton to 30-3 (Jack Bransgrove 3-37) before Scott Myers and Dan Harris shared a half-century stand.

Both batsmen then fell to Harry Came and the teenager put Alton in further trouble at 106-6. But the hosts again rallied and Mark Heffernan – top scorer with 45 – and Sean Jamison added another 61 for the seventh wicket.

Heffernan took Alton to 196-9, just 10 short of victory with two balls remaining, when Dan Scott made a dramatic appearance, shoulder strapped up and arm in a sling after suffering a dislocation in a fielding accident.

The batsmen ran a bye before Logan van Beek, back in the attack, bowled Heffernan with the last ball of the day.

Earlier, the St Cross innings had ebbed and flowed, with James Burridge, Tom Foyle and Van Beek all getting into the 30s.

Jack Myers and the seldom used Alex Hammond checked their progress and St Cross were 143-6 at one stage. But Jack Bransgrove and Charlie Ayres added important runs and lifted the visitors to 205-7. It proved to be just enough.

Alton, after their poor run, have been drawn into a relegation battle and Saturday’s visit to bottom side Andover is a huge game for the Brewers. Only one side goes down from the prestigious Premier Division.

• Alton 2nd XI boosted their chances of escaping the drop with a superb win over SPL Division Three leaders Basingstoke II at Mays Bounty.

After posting a creditable 212 all out, the visitors dismissed Basingstoke for 187, with Toby Salmon, Pat Sampson and Freddie Egleston all taking three wickets.

Unfortunately for the Brewers second string, fellow strugglers Fawley also won.