SKIPPER Tom Morton reckons that Jack Mynott’s batting has “gone up another level” after watching the Bemerton raised all-rounder make his best ECB Southern Electric Premier League score in the 287-run mauling of Alton at Wilton Road.

Jack Mynott hit a competitive best 138 and shared a boundary-strewn fifth-wicket partnership with Ryan Duffield as South Wilts rattled up 287-6 before bowling Alton out for 120 to record a thumping 167-run victory.

With the Hampshire Academy and Bashley (Rydal), the second and third placed clubs, both losing, South Wilts enjoy a commanding 29-point lead at the midway point of the season.

South Wilts were 75-3 (after being put into bat) when Mynott came into his own.

The former Dauntsey's captain, who joined South Wilts as a colt, produced a splendid knock, hitting a six and 14 fours as he cruised past his maiden 100 from two seasons ago.

“Jack’s innings was immensely impressive. Having spent a year at Loughborough university now his game appears to have moved to another level,” Morton said.

“Previously a very off-side dominant batsman he now has a strong leg-side game to open up greater scoring options – as the broken tile on the roof of one of the properties overlooking the ground will testify.

“Jack’s innings against Alton was a credit to not only some cracking cricket shots but also a superb level of fitness. There were some disciplined spells of bowling which Jack managed to get through with a number of quick singles and twos and threes which no one else in our team would have managed.”

Mynott was nearing his half-century when Duffield arrived at the crease to pepper the Bemerton boundary with an awesome display of big hitting.

He smashed five sixes – one clean over the new terrace houses which overlook the mid-wicket boundary – and five fours in a whirlwind 79 off 68 balls.

He added 162 with Mynott as South Wilts batted Alton out of the contest.

Morton added: “We made the decision to move Duff up the order as we felt we weren’t getting the best out of him coming in with few overs left and he certainly took his opportunity with a destructive 78, including five massive sixes.

“There really is a great deal more to his game than just someone that can hit you in the head at great pace.”

It was all too much for the visitors, whose unbeaten record in Time Cricket quickly disappeared as they were rushed out for 120 in the 34th over.

Jake Foley took 3-23 and Duffield and the improving Luke Evans two wickets each.