St Cross on the precipice

Southern Electric Premier League - Division 2

SIX GAMES! That's all St Cross Symondians have left to save their Premier Division 2 bacon.

A seventh defeat in eight games - by a three-wicket margin against leaders Alton - has left St Cross languishing in the two-down drop zone.

With Graham Barrett's strugglers visiting high-scoring Ventnor tomorrow, everything is pointing towards next Saturday's derby with Easton and Martyr Worthy as being a do-or-die affair... for both clubs!

But, if St Cross can reproduce the fighting spirit they showed against Alton, all may not be lost.

"They fought for their lives and gave us a real fright," confessed Alton vice-captain Michael Heffernan.

"The St Cross lads are clearly suffering from a lack of confidence with the bat, but they've got some decent players and aren't the worst side we've played this season."

Alton, whose own visit to Ventnor on August 7 has the look of a title decider, maintained their slender advantage at the top with their narrow three-wicket success at the Royal Greenjackets Ground.

One-time Chandler's Ford seamer John Halfacre was the scourge of the St Cross top order - his spell of 4 for 30 having the Winchester club struggling at 65 for 5.

Alan Whitman (39) battled it out, but it was the sixth-wicket rally between Mark Padwick (31) and Fergus Haycock (25) that at last gave St Cross something to bowl at.

Julian Ballinger (3-44) got among the tail - and later came back to haunt St Cross again.

Alton themselves were under pressure once Kiwi Nick O'Connor (2-38) removed big-hitting Bruce Oliphant and Howard Gadsby.

Michael Heffernan (37) and Richie Morgan (23) took Alton on to 61 for 3, but the leaders were creaking again at 109 for 6 after Matt Perry-Lewis (2-23) and Whitman (2-43) had completed tidy off-spin spells.

St Cross were unable to take full advantage as Ballinger arrived back in the middle to hit a match winning 34 not out.

The Alton captain and Nathan Sherborne added a precious 42 to take the visitors to within sight of a hard-earned victory.

Fifteen-year-old Jack Jenkins hit 76 to guide St Cross Symondians II to a six-wicket win Hampshire County Division 1 at Redlynch & Hale, who were dismissed for 146.

A fine St Cross 3rd XI performance secured a 54-run victory over Hungerford II in Division 1 North.

Batting first, all-rounder Kevin Boniface carefully avoided buying ale with a patient 47. His contribution with 15-year-old Joe Lovett (17) provided a solid base for the hosts with a first wicket partnership of 59.

Further efforts came from John Boniface (30), who was run out when looking well set, Steve Postle (40) and Roland Fowler (26) to post a score of 204 off their allotted overs.

An excellent opening burst from new ball pair Matt Cahill (1-15) and Keith Edwards (2-28), supported by more superb outfield cricket, had the visitors struggling as the first 18 overs yielded only 30 runs for the loss of three wickets.

A century partnership for the fourth wicket briefly threatened a remarkable comeback, but when Fowler had the Hungerford skipper (60) stumped by keeper John Boniface, the visitors' resistance collapsed with their innings eventually closing on 150 for 7.

Alton IV damaged St Cross Symondians IV's promotion chances with a four-wicket victory at the Jubilee Ground.

With dubious weather reports circulating, Alton put St Cross in to bat. Openers Richard Wood and Matt Knight set about some wayward Alton bowling to post 76 in 20 overs before Wood fell for 27.

Knight continued valiantly, but no partnership was able to dominate an Alton attack improved by the introduction of left arm spinner Little (5 for 27).

Knight eventually went for 77 and St Cross ended on 182 for 9.

Alton had a good start in reply as the clouds gathered. But they appeared to have blown it when they slumped to 112 for 5, courtesy of another three wicket haul from Chris James.

However, opener Sherborne (84) had other ideas and together with antipodean Ross (35 no) took Alton to victory with overs to spare.