Alton fell to a 40-run defeat at Old Tauntonians and Romsey in the Southern Premier Cricket League Twenty20 Plate competition on Sunday.

The visitors were asked to bowl first and opening bowler Dan Sumner had the ball on a string as he returned figures of two for 18.

Joseph Vaughan (59) and Alex Mills (44) then took the attack to Alton, targeting the change bowlers and giving them the full treatment.

The Brewers’ fielding was generally excellent, the highlight being a retrieval from Wilf Bridger who saved a solitary run with a sliding save.

The home side finished on 162 for six at the end of their 20 overs.

The Brewers got off to a fair start in their reply before Jude Wright was trapped leg before wicket by Hakim Perusi. Mark Heffernan was then run out by a direct hit from Harry Tulk.

Sam Ruffell looked in good touch, but the required rate kept on climbing. With pressure building Sam Bridger and Bash Walters were dismissed by Matt Brampton.

Home skipper Rob Newman made the decisive breakthrough, trapping Ruffell leg before wicket and effectively ending the chase.

Tom Green (21) provided a bit of entertainment late in the innings with a couple of big hits before he was caught on the boundary.

The Brewers finished on 122 for nine as the hosts progressed to the next round.

Alton put in a good batting display at Burridge in the Southern Premier Cricket League Premier Division on Saturday, but rain ruined any chance of a result.

Alton posted 270 after being asked to bat first. The returning Abhay Gonella made 37 and Scott Myers 39, but the innings of the day was from Ben Rolfs – who made 94 and fell just short of a deserved century.

The chase had started well for the home side as they moved to 88 for one off 16.2 overs before the rain ended proceedings. Jude Wright took the wicket, with Mark Heffernan completing the catch behind the stumps. Matthew Goles was not out on 55 and Joe Collings-Wells 18 not out.