Overview

The earliest reference to Alton cricket occurs in 1774 and it seems that matches were all played on Alton Butts, but about 1900, owing to the efforts of G.J.Poole, headmaster of the local Grammar School, a new ground was laid out at the other end of the town and Hampshire played several second XI matches there. The only first class match played their was on July 7th, 8th 1904 when the South African tourists soundly beat Hampshire by an innings. The ground is still in use being owned by the local brewery and both cricket, football and rugby union is played their regularly.