King Street hosted a top of the table clash between Odiham and Alton 2’s this weekend. There were a couple of changes with Charlie Russell coming in with the bat and Dylan Kettle returning. Overcast conditions and a wet week leading into the game made it a toss that would be preferable to win. Characteristically the toss went in Alton’s favour and we were sent into bat. Charlie Russell and Kyran Munt went out with intent and made a solid start against a good Alton attack. Sadly Kyran was caught and bowled for 10 but nonetheless we continued positively ticking the scoreboard over well and leaving us going to 5 an over relatively comfortably. After Charlie fell for a well made 22 the team ticked through effectively with lots of starts but no one going past 40. Ed Ikin ran past one for a well made 39 and was followed Liam Doran and Rollo Harrap for 25 and 27 respectively leaving the O’s 169-6. Sadly Phil Thomas was given some misleading information on the direction of swing and fell quickly. Nonetheless Jon Hawk the hero of last week played a mature knock of 38 from 56 balls and was well supported by Scott McGaughrin’s 17 leaving the 1’s 232/9 at the end of their 45 overs.

A wondrous tea was eaten and the team were out ready to bowl. Having taken 30 wickets for 295 so far this season confidence was high, this was rightly placed as Alton were reduced to 10/2 after a tremendous catch from Kyran and a brilliant ball from Dylan took both of their openers. Alton continued to make steady progress and were 95/3 after 22 overs at drinks. The game was well poised but run rate was becoming more of a factor in the chase after some solid Odiham bowling. Jack Malden managed to remove the left handed batter that was causing some issues which left Odiham in the ascendancy. The chase was well managed by Alton and they put themselves right in the game with 21 needed off the final 3 overs and only at 6 down, the betting man would have said Odiham were looking down the barrel of a tough defeat. However up step Rollo Harrap with some epic fielding out in the deep resulting in a run out of the danger man. From there Dylan and Ed got rid of the last 3 batsman for only 5 runs resulting in an epic 15 run win for Odiham. Dylan impressed particularly finishing with figures of 5-21, a truly high class performance by the youngest member of the team finished off by 2 superb Yorkers to get Odiham over the line.

A great win by Odiham keeps the title charge alive ahead of next weeks trip to Mays Bounty against Basingstoke II. After a team performance like that it is clear that the side really mean business.