ALTON’S Southern Premier League season continued to gather momentum with a comprehensive win against rock-bottom New Milton on Saturday.

After last week’s superb performance against a strong South Wilts side, Alton met early at Jubilee for the first all-day ‘time’ game of the summer and a trip to the New Forest.

New Milton were up against it from the moment Scott Myers won the toss and decided to bowl first at Fernhill.

Ben Mortimer and Toby Salmon immediately found their line and length on a slow pitch and the home batsmen were starved of runs.

Mortimer, in particular, was unplayable at times, but a couple of chances were missed and New Milton moved to 21 without loss after 10 overs before Salmon struck twice in two balls to remove skipper Ryan Beck and then James Haggaty, both sharply taken in the slip cordon by Myers and Marco Marais.

Mortimer’s quick and hostile spell was rewarded as opener Tom Arnold – top scorer with 17 – gloved a rising delivery to Dan Harris at first slip.

Harris then ran out Lee Beck, going for an ill-advised second run, and New Milton were 33-4.

The Brewers never let up. Mortimer dispatched Joe Prodomo and Raff Hussey with fast, short-pitched deliveries, both caught by fielders in close under the helmet.

And when teenager Abhay Gonella took a wicket with his first ball, the home team were a parlous 53-7.

Steve Watts and George Watts shared a gutsy partnership leading up to lunch, but the scoring rate never got above two runs an over.

It seemed clear that anything over 100 could be a tricky run-chase on the sluggish pitch and slow outfield and Alton kept a tight grip on the game after the interval.

With 80 on the board, Julian Ballinger finally broke the stand, Steve Watts fallingto another fine close catch by Mark Heffernan.

Salmon returned to the attack and promptly had the dangerous George Watts caught behind by Hugo Hammond. Ballinger took the final wicket and Alton were left needing 83 from a minimum of 74 overs. Overall, a superb bowling performance, with Mortimer (3-24 in 14 overs, Salmon (3-17 in 9) and off-spinner Ballinger (2-13) giving absolutely nothing away.

New Milton had to attack in the field, while Alton, although with oodles of overs, were set on a quickfire start.

Alex Hammond got off to a flyer, hitting 36 of the first 38 runs off 24 balls, with seven fours. Harris came in and was equally severe on anything short, striking 38 not out from 25 balls.

Gonella finished the game with a cover-driven boundary and Alton had had knocked off the runs in 13.1 overs and before tea.

Significantly, every game this season, the Alton side has included eight to nine home-grown former colts – a testament to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at the Jubilee Playing Fields.

Alton expect a tougher test this Saturday when they host St Cross Symondian. On Sunday, Alton open their defence of the SPL T20 Cup with a home match against Hampshire Academy, the current Premier Division leaders (start 3pm at Jubilee).