ALTON, after a promising start to their Southern Premier League season, have been unable to shake off a run of poor form and the campaign ended in disappointing fashion with a heavy defeat to title-chasing Burridge at the Jubilee Ground.

While their Premier Division status was secure – only one team (New Milton) is relegated – the Brewers have struggled for any consistency in the second half of the season and Saturday was no different.

Burridge had it all to play for, knowing they needed maximum points, while hoping St Cross would lose their final fixture. It didn’t happen. St Cross beat Lymington and the Winchester side are champions.

Scott Myers chose to bowl first and things started well for the hosts as Ben Mortimer, making his final appearance for Alton, clean-bowled Jamie Richards.

But this was the only high point for the home side as they were put to the sword by Joe Collings-Wells and Richard Lock in a massive partnership of 246.

Keeping pace with each other, both reached their centuries before Julian Ballinger finally broke the stand, Myers catching Lock in the deep. At 256-2, Alton had been batted out of the game.

Collings-Wells followed for a fantastic 127 off 138 balls, but Burridge were not finished and Azi Chowdhury smashed 53 off 18 balls, including six sixes, to propel the visitors to a mighty 343-4.

Attacking fields gave Alton licence to go for their shots. Alex Hammond hit a swift 23 off 15 balls and, with two wickets down, Abhay Gonella and Dan Harris added 77 in quick time.

Harris struck 10 boundaries in his 35-ball stay and when he played on for 48, Alton had raced to 104-3 off just 15 overs.

The news then reached the middle that St Cross had secured the title and with the game losing any significance, Myers settled for survival and he and Hugo Hammond shut up shop.

Myers finished 44 not out off 118 balls and he and Joe Paul (24 not out) saw Alton to 188-5 at the close.

So it was a low-key farewell for Ben Mortimer. The tall opening bowler makes a long journey from Horsham to play and has decided to move on after 20 years with the club. As a superb bowler and loyal clubman, he will be greatly missed by all at Alton CC.