Ryan Hale smashed nine sixes and six boundaries in a blistering 90 which set up Alton’s five-wicket Southern Electric t20 Cup first round win over St Cross Symondians at the Green Jackets Ground.

Hale scored his 90 off only 38 balls as Alton chased down a St Cross total of 159 to win with almost five overs to spare.

Bill Walsh (44) and Ed Green (25) top scored in the St Cross total – Jack Myers took 3-26 – but Hale blew the target away almost single-handedly.

He repeatedly hit the ball out of the ground and, with Scott Myers (34 not out) alongside, carried Alton to an easy win.

Paultons all-rounder Tony Richman also used the long handle to good effect, hitting five maximums in a swashbuckling 65 off 38 balls which set up a 24-run win over visiting Portsmouth.

Richman hit five sixes and another five fours, which with Andrew Collins (34) and Rob O’Brien (28) in support, eased Paultons to 174-5.

Portsmouth dipped to 24-3 but rallied to reach 150, Nicky Wyatt scoring 37 and James Raftery taking 3-27.

Bashley (Rydal) also took the boundary route towards their nine-wicket win at Waterlooville, which they completed with seven overs to spare.

Waterlooville produced an indisciplined performance with the bat, trying to hit every ball in sight and only Max Goddard (37) made his mark in their 115-9.

Australia Under-19 left-hander Jaron Morgan (45) and Neil Thurgood (48) laid down the foundations of Bashley’s comfortable victory.

Tichborne Park pulled off a dramatic last ball, one-run win over Liphook & Ripsley.

Martyn Cheyney (62) and Will Allam (39) underpinned Tichborne’s 146-4 – a total Liphook threatened when Chris Martin (42) hit the fourth ball of the last over for a huge six.

It left Liphook needing three runs off the last two balls of the match – but they could only manage a bye and finished one short at 145-5.

Langley Manor, who knocked out Basingstoke & North Hants and Alton last summer, fell at the first round hurdle, losing by 39 runs to visiting Bournemouth.

Ben Bridgen (35) and George Russell (31) helped Bournemouth reach 125-6, while the Manor could only make 86 against Jonny Coombs (3-13) and Jake Hurley (3-17).

Havant were too strong for Hook & Newnham Basics, posting 158-7 before reducing their North Hampshire visitors to 25-5. Hook recovered to reach 115.