THEIR promising form of earlier in the season continued to elude Alton as they lost heavily to Burridge in the Southern Premier League.

Since defeating Premier Division leaders South Wilts, the Brewers have lost momentum and have faltered badly in the ‘timed’ format.

Scott Myers decided to bowl first on a pitch that was surprisingly soft in parts, hoping his bowlers could take advantage of some inconsistent bounce. The returning Ben Mortimer certainly looked dangerous, but it was Toby Salmon who made the early breakthrough with a lifting delivery that Lee Savident gloved to Julian Ballinger at short-leg.

When Mortimer bowled Jamie Richards, Burridge were 60-2, but Joe Collings-Wells, riding his luck at times, moved to 50 and he and overseas player Hilio De Abreu put on 98.

The persevering Mortimer broke the stand, bowling Collings-Wells for 76, but De Abreu continued to accumulate, now supported by Will Steward.

From the strong platform of 232-5, Burridge really kicked on and the South African put Alton to the sword, reaching 115 off 135 balls before being caught in the deep off Ballinger.

Off-spinner Ballinger reeled off 18 overs to claim another five-for, but Burridge finished on a daunting 292-8 from 64 overs.

The heat and long session in the field seemed to have got to the visitors and they slipped to 44-3 at tea.

The consistent Myers was unable to dig his side out of trouble this time and he became another victim for Sullivan White who dismissed four of the first five batsmen. At 65-4, Hammond took it upon himself to counter-attack and was at his entertaining best as he moved past 50, adding 51 with Michael Salmon. The latter then fell to Brad Griffiths and when Hammond , having hit 63 off 71 balls, including 13 fours, was caught off White, Alton were staring down the barrel at 117-6.

But it wasn’t quite all over. Mortimer, taking his cue from Hammond, also laid into the Burridge attack and blasted 49 off a mere 27 balls, striking three sixes and five fours.

The defiant Mortimer was last man out, caught and bowled by Richard Lock, and Alton were dismissed for 186, having used only 34 overs.

Alton face a tough trip to second-placed Bashley this Saturday. On Sunday, the Brewers are away to Portsmouth in the second round of the SPL T20 Cup (3pm start).

• Tom Green (65) and Howard Gadsby (62) scored half-centuries as Alton II (256-6) beat Burridge II (180) in Hampshire League County One.