ALTON’S good run of form in the Southern Premier League was ended by St Cross – more specifically by Harry Came who gave an inspired performance with both bat and ball in another run-fest at the Jubilee Ground.

Crucially for Alton, they lost strike bowler Ben Mortimer to a pulled hamstring in the warm-up. The team-sheet was not in, so the Brewers were able to call up Michael Salmon before the Winchester side elected to bat on what looked like a belter.

Dann Scott and Toby Salmon caused problems with the new ball, but it was Julian Ballinger’s spin that made the breakthrough, Dan Young edging to Scott Myers at slip.

But it was to be a chastening period for Alton. Scott soon found the edge of Came’s bat, but the chance was missed and things continued to go against the home side as Marco Marais pulled a muscle, restricting his movement considerably.

St Cross skipper Tom Foyle, having seen off the lively Salmon, had made 44 out of 69 when, looking to attack, he holed out to Myers, Michael Salmon taking the skier. Ballinger quickly got Matt Stokes and St Cross were teetering at 88-3.

But then Billy Mead joined Came and, from that point, the visitors were in control. The pair built a match-winning partnership of 187 as the Brewers toiled, barely giving a chance as Came moved to a superb century and Mead raced to 50.

When Mead was finally caught for 70, St Cross were a commanding 272-4. Seven runs later, Came fell to Ballinger for a fantastic 151 off 162 balls, including 15 fours and two sixes.

Hugo Hammond made a great leg-side stumping off Myers, but it was a rare bright spot for Alton and St Cross declared at 305-6 after 63.5 overs.

With Marais unable to run, skipper Myers gambled on sending him first, hoping he could get the Brewers off to a flyer. The overseas man did not disappoint and he and Michael Heffernan put on 71 in quick time. Alex Hammond hit 40 off 35 balls and with Marais reaching 50, the home side went into tea at a promising 126-1 from just 19 overs.

The tide turned, though, as Steve Mitchell had Hammond caught behind in the first over after the break. Dan Harris was trapped in front by Came and when Marais followed – also lbw to Came – Alton had slipped to 162-4. Injured or not, Marais had struck three sixes and six fours in his run-a-ball 73.

Came continued to chip away with his off-spin, dismissing Myers for 25, and then Mark Heffernan and Hugo Hammond in quick succession.

Michael Salmon countered with a spirited 37 not out, edging Alton nearer the winning draw target, but Came was not finished and picked up two more wickets to finish with 7-52 off 18 overs. Ballinger became a fourth lbw victim and Alton were all out for 249 after 51 overs.

Alton now face Hampshire Academy twice in two days. They travel to the Ageas Bowl on Saturday and, on Sunday, open the defence of their T20 Cup title, at home to the county tyros (start 3pm).