DAN Harris chose the Ageas Bowl to score his first century for Alton, but it was not enough to earn the Brewers victory as Hampshire Academy recorded only their second Southern Premier League win of the season.

A young Academy side were strengthened by returning Scottish seamer Chris Sole, while Alton called up Lee Partner in the absence of leg-spinner Jack Myers.

Put in on the nursery ground, Alton once again began shakily. Left-armer Jack Campbell, who also plays for Liphook, soon had Abeed Janmohamed caught behind. Alex Hammond, having hit five boundaries, was caught for 31 and in-form skipper Scott Myers managed only 11 before falling to Sole.

Campbell then had both Heffernans caught by Tom Scriven and Alton were struggling at 113-5.

Number 3 Harris had watched all this and was now set, scoring at a decent rate. He and Andy Postles made it through to lunch and with Harris reaching his 50, Alton went in at 133-5.

Harris continued to be positive on the restart, taking the attack to the bowlers and advancing to an excellent hundred.

After a partnership of 91, Postled holed out for 32 off Felix Organ. Harris looked to increase the run-rate and a superb innings ended in somewhat controversial fashion when he went for another six and was caught on the boundary edge by Scott Currie who had to knock the ball back infield before collecting it. A debate ensued, but Harris was given out. His 126 off 135 balls included 18 fours and two sixes.

Sean Jamison added further impetus with a quick 26 and the tailenders did their bit before the Brewers were all out for 262 in the 58th over. Campbell finished with 3-41 from 11 overs.

It was still a good batting surface and in the short session before tea Ben Mortimer removed Miles Kantolinna, well taken by Mark Heffernan at third slip. Jamison looked dangerous and bowled Ben Duggan – alas with a no-ball.

The final session of the day would be pivotal and Jamison began well by bowling skipper Felix Organ: Academy 61-2. And the see-saw contest continued. Duggan hit an aggressive 59 off 61 balls before being trapped in front by Julian Ballinger and further quick wickets for Jamison and off-spinner Ballinger saw the home side slip to 175-6.

But Hampshire had plenty of overs in hand and Tom South and Patrick Holly came together in a watchful, match-winning partnership. Both played and missed frequently as Alton strove to break the stand, but nothing went to hand.

The game was nothing if not eventful and there was more frustration for Alton when the returning Mortimer bowled South and, freakishly, half the broken bail remained balanced on the top of the stump. Not out!

South was run out soon after by Partner for 37, but the county tyros were almost home at 256-7.

Alton never gave up and Ballinger (3-49 in 17 overs) dismissed Holly for 43. The visitors crowded Currie and Zac Organ in a final push for victory, but Organ cleared the infield and the game was over.

Academy won by two wickets with two overs to spare, leaving Alton to rue not batting out the maximum overs available to them.