WEST Indian cricketing legend Desmond Haynes created a real buzz when he dropped into Alton College to speak about his life as a professional cricketer and the sports industry.

Haynes was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1991 and formed a formidable partnership with Gordon Greenidge during the 1980s.

And the sports students were eager to hear about what it was like representing the West Indies in their heyday, playing against England, training, the sledging that went on, and socialising.

The young people, many of them keen cricketers, expressed their gratitude to Mr Haynes for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come and meet them.

It was one of the highlights of an extremely busy couple of months for the Alton College sports department, with students achieving success across a range of sports.

A college team was entered into the Southern Shooting Championships, competing both as a team and in the individual competition. The college was represented by former Bohunt School (Liphook) students Oliver Bowler, Luke Evans and Oscar Peterson.

Oliver Bowler duly secured a place in the National Championships final, finishing in the top eight of the competition. He now goes on to compete for the national title.

The students really enjoyed their day on the range and gained some valuable experience in the world of organised pistol shooting.

Four Alton College students competed in the English Schools’ Ski Association national finals at the Norfolk Snowsports Centre in Norwich at the beginning of October, and they came home with a silver medal!

The team consisted of Adam Bannister, previously at Eggar’s School, Alton, Dan Knight (Bohunt School), Euan Chapman (Weydon School in Farnham) and Ethan Sowik (Amery Hill School, Alton).

Competing in the U19 boys’ category against teams from several private schools across the UK and Peter Symonds College, the boys undertook two runs each on the challenging slalom course.

Adam finished first in his age group, and Euan came second with one second difference between them, and as a team they won silver. This was the first time Alton College had entered this event.

And after silver there came gold when on November 6 former Alton College student Joe Truman (previously at The Petersfield School) won gold with the Great Britain cycling team in Glasgow as part of their World Cup campaign.

He was part of the men’s team pursuit trio which thrilled crowds at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome as their sprint rounds got consistently quicker, eventually facing France in the final and coming home victorious.