Lymington were left kicking themselves after throwing away an opportunity to lower the colours of ECB Southern Premier League champions South Wilts at the Sports Ground.
Spinner Dom Hand (5-49) took the bowling plaudits as Lymington restricted South Wilts to a modest 213 for nine from their 50 overs, writes Neil Perrett
After Matt Metcalfe (2-42) and Ed Freeman (1-27) had reduced the visitors to 57 for three, Hand came on to break a fourth-wicket partnership of 72 between James Hayward and Joe Cranch.
It owed much to a stunning catch in the deep by Cameron Grierson, who superbly pouched Hayward (49) after he had attempted a reverse sweep to a delivery from Hand.
Hand also accounted for Cranch (33) and was assisted by the Solent University’s Richie Lock (1-42) as Lymington kept South Wilts in check.
"I think we were a little bit below where we should have been with the bat, “ Hayward conceded.
A tidy opening spell between Steve Warner and James Hibberd put Lymington behind the clock early on – Grierson and Hand managed only 13 runs in 11 overs - and their cause was not helped when Ryan Scott was forced to retire after damaging his groin taking a quick single, the Dorset man returning later to bat with a runner.
His enforced departure saw Ed Ellis (40) join Lewis McManus (56) at the crease, the pair guiding Lymington to 114 for two.
“We drifted a bit in the middle as some partnerships formed,” Hayward said.
They were still well in the driving seat at 164 for four when McManus holed out to Luke Evans off the bowling of Jack Mynott (4-41).
Oliver Calcott and Chris Blake quickly followed and, although Simon Beetham (26) remained undefeated at the close, the collapse ensured Lymington would fall 10 runs short.
South Wilts skipper Hayward said: “It was a really good win, the boys showed excellent character.
“James Hibberd and Steve Warner were superb and we squeezed Lymington in the middle period.
"We've still got room for improvement but we are getting better with each game.
“We did what we needed to do and came away with a win against a good Lymington side, who have beaten us in each of the past two seasons".
Spinner Dom Hand (5-49) took the bowling plaudits as Lymington restricted South Wilts to a modest 213 for nine from their 50 overs, writes Neil Perrett
After Matt Metcalfe (2-42) and Ed Freeman (1-27) had reduced the visitors to 57 for three, Hand came on to break a fourth-wicket partnership of 72 between James Hayward and Joe Cranch.
It owed much to a stunning catch in the deep by Cameron Grierson, who superbly pouched Hayward (49) after he had attempted a reverse sweep to a delivery from Hand.
Hand also accounted for Cranch (33) and was assisted by the Solent University’s Richie Lock (1-42) as Lymington kept South Wilts in check.
"I think we were a little bit below where we should have been with the bat, “ Hayward conceded.
A tidy opening spell between Steve Warner and James Hibberd put Lymington behind the clock early on – Grierson and Hand managed only 13 runs in 11 overs - and their cause was not helped when Ryan Scott was forced to retire after damaging his groin taking a quick single, the Dorset man returning later to bat with a runner.
His enforced departure saw Ed Ellis (40) join Lewis McManus (56) at the crease, the pair guiding Lymington to 114 for two.
“We drifted a bit in the middle as some partnerships formed,” Hayward said.
They were still well in the driving seat at 164 for four when McManus holed out to Luke Evans off the bowling of Jack Mynott (4-41).
Oliver Calcott and Chris Blake quickly followed and, although Simon Beetham (26) remained undefeated at the close, the collapse ensured Lymington would fall 10 runs short.
South Wilts skipper Hayward said: “It was a really good win, the boys showed excellent character.
“James Hibberd and Steve Warner were superb and we squeezed Lymington in the middle period.
"We've still got room for improvement but we are getting better with each game.
“We did what we needed to do and came away with a win against a good Lymington side, who have beaten us in each of the past two seasons".