Alton are toasting a best yet third place in the final Premier Division table – no mean feat for a club who were bottom in mid-June without a win to their name. A comfortable 68-run win at Lymington secured Alton’s highest ever finishing position.

They bossed proceedings at the Lymington Sports Ground from the start, Ryan Hale cracking a six and nine fours in his 62 before he was caught off Darren Cowley.

Mike Heffernan (42) and Will Phillips, whose patient 63 kept the momentum going, eased Alton towards an eventual 232-9.

Lymington’s prospects of a fourth 50-over pennant victory in six matches suffered an immediate setback when Australia Under-19 prospect Damien Mortimer was bowled first ball by Dewayne Bowden.

Ben Rogers (21) and Ryan Scott (18) added 40, but departed in quick succession.

Lymington continued to lose wickets, principally to Alton skipper Scott Myers (4-29), who whipped through the middle-order to leave the hosts 102-7.

Cowley (29) checked Alton’s progress before Beetham hit a spirited 37, but the outcome was seldom in doubt as the visitors reflected on a positive finish to the second half of the summer.