THE visit of Havant, last year’s runners-up, was a tough first match for Alton in their opening Southern Premier League match.

Not surprisingly, a run feast ensued on a sun-baked Jubilee Playing Field, but Havant’s 288-7 in the allotted 50 overs proved well beyond Alton, despite a fine partnership by the Heffernan brothers and a defiant innings from keeper Abeed Janmohamed.

Havant had no hesitation in batting first, but the tall Ben Mortimer posed early problems with his extra bounce. This led to the demise of Peter Hopson who in his attempts to stop the ball going back onto his wicket only succeeded in hitting it into his leg-stump; 15-1.

However, the bowlers struggled to find their line and extras helped get the score moving. Spinners Julian Ballinger and Jack Myers regained some control and with both picking up a wicket, Havant were 79-3.

Skipper Ben Walker was then joined by Chris Stone who took the attack to the bowlers, hitting seven boundaries in a 26-ball 35 before being caught by new overseas player Dan Hutton off Scott Myers.

Havant were then 129-4 and the innings was in the balance, but Walker found a more measured partner in the experienced Richard Hindley. The two took control of the game with a stand of 136 for the fifth wicket.

Alton failed to take some half-chances and were made to pay as Walker moved to a fine hundred, eventually being caught off Ballinger for 125. Hindley reached his 50 off the last ball of the innings and Alton were set a distant 289 for victory.

The home side still fancied their chances in the conditions, but they began disastrously, with Alex Hammond out first ball and Hutton, after hitting three boundaries, also being caught behind by Jez Bulled. From 21-2, Alton slipped to 48-3 and were 66-4 when Mark Heffernan joined his older brother at the crease. The pair looked to rebuild and put on 64 good runs before Michael fell to the spin of Hindley for 36.

Mark Heffernan completed an excellent half-century, but then holed out for 54 and Alton were 163-6.

Janmohamed looked to get his side as close as possible, but wickets fell too regularly at the other end, with Tom Vanderslik taking 3-28, and Alton stumbled to 202 all out with nearly two overs remaining. Janmohamed was left stranded on 39 not out.

Alton will hope to bounce back this week when they travel to Burridge.