ALTON’s dismal run of league form continued with a nine-wicket defeat to Basingstoke in the local derby at Mays Bounty.

Relegated New Milton are now the only team below Alton who must beat second-placed Burridge in their last game this Saturday to finish a slightly more respectable third from bottom in the SPL Premier Division.

Inserted by Mitch Stokes, the visitors struggled to get a foothold in the game. Alex Hammond blasted some early boundaries before one shot too many saw him caught for 21.

Michael Heffernan and Joe Paul moved the score to 46 before both fell in quick succession and when Scott Myers was trapped in front by a Dave Griffiths delivery that kept extremely low, Alton were 75-4.

All the batsmen got starts, but none was able to build a meaningful innings. Dan Harris stayed the longest until, running out of partners, he was caught in the deep for 29 off 63 balls.

It was then 115-7 and only a spirited effort by Julian Ballinger and Xavier Bochereau got Alton up to 143 all out.

Stokes, the former Hampshire off-spinner, finished with 3-19 from 10 immaculate overs.

Alton needed early wickets to put Basingstoke under any sort of pressure, but it was to be a poor display all round by the Brewers.

Ben Thane again proved a thorn in their side with 66 not out and Chris Jolley made 59, both scoring at a run-a-ball in an opening partnership of 126.

Ballinger picked up Alton’s only wicket as the home side cruised home in the 24th over.

lAlton 2nd XI avoided relegation to Hampshire County Two by beating Hursley Park by 12 runs.

Hugo Hammond made 89 and Michael Salmon 36 as the home side posted 206-6 off their 50 overs.

Openers Aaron Williams (43) and Paul Marks (36) led a strong reply by Hursley, but they came up just short on 194-9. Salmon took 3-27 in 10 overs and Lee Partner picked up 2-28 in his 10.