Alton earned a comprehensive eight-wicket win at Basingstoke & North Hants in the Southern Premier Cricket League Premier Division on Saturday.

Having lost the toss, skipper Scott Myers was surprised to be asked to bowl first in conditions which suggested there may be a bit of assistance for the seamers early on.

Bash Walters (three for 60) opened the bowling and had opener Alex Bovill caught at gully by Jude Wright with the score on 22.

Opening partner Abdullah Abid followed shortly afterwards, caught by Abhay Gonella off the bowling of Jude Wright (four for 55) for 16, and Basingstoke were 26 for two. This became 33 for three as Ashley Neal was trapped leg before wicket by Wright.

Basingstoke then suffered a double blow when Walters removed Dubs Wood and Richard Vinn, both caught by keeper Mark Heffernan in the same over.

Callum Coombs (17) followed shortly afterwards, caught by Gonella off Zack Gadsby’s bowling, and the hosts were in trouble at 53 for six.

Matt Deadman and Bradley Neal added 91 before Deadman succumbed to the returning Wright for 25, caught at mid-off by Dan Sumner.

Neal and skipper Joe Oates moved the score to 175 before Wright had Oates caught behind by Heffernan for 22. Neal and Abhijeet Saranath then took the score beyond 200, before some good fielding from Gadsby saw Saranath run out for 14.

Neal was last man out for a well-made 89 as the hosts were bowled out for 212.

Openers Gonella and Dan Harris were positive in their approach to reaching the target, with Harris taking advantage of any lapse in line or length from the Basingstoke opening bowlers. The openers added 53 before Gonella (ten) was trapped leg before wicket by Oates.

Harris was joined at the crease by Ben Rolfs, and they added 105 for the second wicket before Harris was caught on the boundary for 94.

Skipper Myers promoted Wright up the order, and he smashed 52 not out off 24 balls to see Alton home. Rolfs finished on 57 not out.

Alton will host South Wilts on Saturday.