ALTON dropped ever closer to the Premier Division relegation zone in the Southern Electric Cricket League after a heavy defeat at Lymington last Saturday.

Put in by Scott Myers, the New Forest side obliged by piling up 331-6 in their 50 overs. The Brewers never got close to in reply and lost by a massive 179 runs.

Lymington set a furious pace and reached 100 without loss in just 15 overs. Spinner Jack Myers eventually bowled Ben Rogers for 54, off 48 balls, but Dominic Hand continued to pile on the runs and he and Ryan Scott saw up the 200.

Steve Ball eventually dismissed both batsmen in quick succession, Hand going for 90, but there was no respite for Alton as Hampshire Academy player Lewis McManus and Cameron Grierson added 63 in quick time.

Lacking real pace and badly missing the off-spin of Julian Ballinger – their best bowler this season – Alton could only grin and bear it as Lymington amassed an unassailable total.

Robbie Heywood, 28, struck four fours and a six to give Alton a bright start, but wickets fell too regularly for them to sustain a serious run chase.

Michael Heffernan returned to form after injury with top score of 38. Otherwise, it was a story of batsmen getting in, only to get themselves out.

A stand between Abeed Janmohamed and Dan Scott made the score just about respectable before Alton were dismissed for 152 after 40 overs.

Island side Ventnor visit the Jubilee Ground on Saturday in another tough test of Alton’s mettle.

The Brewers desperately need to win either this game or next week’s match at St Cross before their final fixture of the season on August 29 when they host league leaders South Wiltshire.