Half-centuries for Felix Organ (60) and Josh McCoy (57) helped Hampshire Academy pick up a winning-draw against Alton in the Southern Electric Premier League.

Both Organ and McCoy fought well to guide Hampshire to 224 from their batting effort, despite an efficient bowling performance from Julian Ballinger (4-49).

Alton then struggled in reply as Dominic Clutterbuck (3-26) restricted the hosts to just 197-8 in the remaining overs to see Hampshire claim a deserved 14 points from the winning-draw result.

The visitors began well after electing to bat first with Ben Duggan (26) and Organ both looking in good touch on their way to seeing the score past 50 for the loss of just one wicket. However when the former was dismissed, further quick wickets followed, largely thanks to the impressive Ballinger, to reduce Hampshire to 118-5.

McCoy led the Hampshire recovery and he combined excellently with Tom Scriven (41) to steer their side to a competitive total after initial early-innings struggles.

Knowing early wickets would be essential to restricting the hosts in their chasing effort, Hampshire’s attack bowled brilliantly to see five early wickets fall with just 102 runs on the board.

Alton skipper Scott Myers (62*) spearheaded the fight-back but further wickets from Clutterbuck saw the home-side struggle to 128-8 before abandoning hopes of victory in pursuit of a more favourable losing draw result. 

Words: Will Brewster