AFTER two successive SPL defeats, Alton were hoping that a return to the overs format would bring a change of fortune. But having put themselves in a strong position against visitors New Milton, they were bowled out 18 runs short of victory.

Scott Myers, back leading the side, put New Milton in and himself shared the new ball with Ben Mortimer. They restricted the run-rate well enough, although openers Tom Arnold and Dave Wakefield looked relatively comfortable.

The introduction of Jack Myers tightened the grip and the leg-spinner made the breakthrough in the 16th over when he had overseas player Wakefield caught at midwicket by Dan Hutton.

Toby Edwards, fresh from a hundred against Alton twos on the same ground last week, fell cheaply to off-spinner Julian Ballinger and with Dan Scott removing Arnold for 32 in the next over, the visitors were 69-3 midway through their 50 overs.

Ashley Collison looked to up the tempo, but the Myers brothers did further damage and Jack finished his 10 overs with superb figures of 3-20.

At 122-6, New Milton would have been aiming at 170-plus, but the Brewers reined them in again and the experienced Ballinger (4-37) took three wickets in his last four overs, holding them to 159-9.

Alton needed a solid start, but, like in the earlier fixture, they found themselves 1-2 as George Watts dismissed Hutton and Alex Hammond for ducks.

Abeed Janmohamed and Scott Myers stopped the rot and added 84 for the third wicket in 20 overs. But Ollie Shrubsole came on to have Janmohamed caught at short fine-leg and a pivotal period in the game followed as Alton lost both Heffernan brothers before the score had reached 100.

When skipper Myers was caught and bowled for 48 by his opposite number, Ryan Beck, Alton were 102-6 and staring down the barrel, although they still had 21 overs left to score 58 runs.

Jack Myers and Mortimer fell to off-spinner Joe Hall and suddenly 160 was looking a long way off.

Scott and Toby Salmon gave their side hope by adding 18, but the end came quite suddenly. Salmon was caught off the returning Dan Loader and Ballinger, having hit Beck for a boundary, was caught looking to repeat the blow and Alton were all out for 142 with seven overs going unused.

A missed opportunity for Alton, especially with seven of their wickets falling to catches in front of the wicket.

Alton visit the Isle of Wight this Saturday, looking to end their lean spell against bottom side Ventnor.