FIRST-ROUND matches in the British Gas T20 Cup were played last weekend. Alton recorded a crushing win over Division Two side Trojans, while Liphook & Ripsley survived a late scare to defeat Division?One rivals Rowledge.

Inserted at the Recreation Ground, Rowledge were restricted to a modest 110-7 off their 20 overs. Jake Austin, sent in first, hit a lusty 27 off 16 balls, including three fours and two sixes, otherwise the home side never dominated the Liphook attack.

Opening with Dave Elliott was a good ploy, the experience campaigner taking 3-19 in 3.5 overs. George Neave, Sean Burton and Dave Wrenn were all difficult to get away as Rowledge struggled to put together a decent stand.

The two Jakes, Wish and Austin, had Liphook in trouble at 14-3, but then Rob Nicklin and Chris Martin (58 off 37 balls) came together and the visitors looked in complete control at 104-3. However, 2nd XI captain Steve Martin changed things dramatically by taking 5-18 from four overs, including a maiden hat-trick in a four-wicket over. Eight wickets were down when Luke Lee-Nutbrown and skipper Charles Janczur saw a nervy Liphook home.

ROWLEDGE 110-7 (J Austin 27; D Elliott 3-19, G Neave 2-16).

LIPHOOK 111-8 (C Martin 58, R Nicklin 31; S Martin 5-18, J Wish 2-4).

Dan Hutton struck a blistering 104 not out off 56 balls as Alton posted an unassailable 214-3 at a damp Jubilee Ground. The Australian hit nine fours and four towering sixes and shared punishing partnerships with the Myers brothers and Michael Heffernan.

A shellshocked Trojans mustered only 87-9 in their 20 overs, Chris Warne top-scoring with 29. Skipper Jack Myers, having a good day, claimed 3-22, while Dan Scott’s two wickets cost just five runs in four overs.

ALTON 214-3 (D Hutton 104 not out, S Myers 32, J Myers 31, Mi Heffernan 19; D Babidge 2-33).

TROJANS 87-9 (C Warne 29; J Myers 3-22, D Hutton 2-5, T Salmon 2-20).