Alton's Southern Premier League Premier Division clash against Hampshire Academy was always fated...

The Arctic Monkeys were booked to play at the Ageas Bowl on the Saturday, so the match had to be moved to the Sunday and held at Jubilee.

And then the weather intervened to ruin what was looking to be an enthralling encounter...

Alton captain Myers won the toss and elected to field. Walters and Andrews took the new ball and it was the former who made the breakthrough, as Wilf La Fontaine Jackson left a ball from Walters and was given out LBW for two. 

Ashman and England under-19 player Dom Kelly made steady progress before Scott Myers trapped Ashman in front for 28, leaving Hampshire 54 for two. 

Alton’s Jude Wright joined Kelly as the pair safely negotiated their team through to lunch with the scoreboard on 110 for two.

The early overs after lunch belonged to Alton and, in particular, Walters. He had a head of steam as he removed Kelly for 46, clean bowled Tom Cheater first ball before removing Wright, who made a patient 32 off 65 balls but was unable to keep Walters out as he took his fourth wicket. 

Hampshire had tumbled to 120 for five as Walters and then Varney continued to trouble Ben Mayes and Eddie Jack.

The pair, though, remained steadfast as Jack took advantage of anything loose from the Alton slower bowlers. 

The pair added 90 to move Hampshire past 200. 

Alton were now in need of a wicket and the returning Walters duly obliged as he cleaned bowled Jack for 53. 

It was then six for Walters as Mayes edged behind for a well-made 37. 

Walters completed a fantastic spell of bowling, taking six for 38 off 18 overs.

Hampshire, now looking for quick runs, moved to 231 before South had Ethan Baker caught in the deep, Michael Heffernan diving forward to complete a smart catch.

Seamer Varney eventually got his reward for bowling  well with no luck as he bowled Cordery for nine. 

Another Alton player faced off against his 2022 team mates as young Zack Gadsby came to the crease. An inside edge for four was followed by a run out as Hampshire were all out for 237 in the 61st over.

Alton were pleased with how they had bowled and fielded but it was Walters who stole the headlines with a great display of seam bowling.

Alton’s chase began with a flurry of boundaries off the pace of Dom Kelly and Eddie Jack as they progressed to 26, but with two balls to go before tea, Jack found the leading edge of Harris’ bat and Oliver Cordery made good ground to complete the catch. 

But as the players came off for tea, the rain came in. The covers were moved on – and that is where they remained. 

Frustratingly a full programme had been played on the Saturday but Alton will look to take the positives out of a good performance in the field as they host Lymington at home on Saturday.