Harry Fisher showed maturity beyond his teenager years to set up an improbable 68-run ECB Southern Premier Division victory for Lymington at Havant.
The ginger haired 19-year old, who spent the past winter playing and coaching in the Winelands region of South Africa, came to Lymington’s aid after his side had dropped to 94-7 against the eight–time Premier Division winners.
His unbeaten 69, aided by fellow youngsters Josh Royan and Dan Cox, guided Lymington to a competitive 203-8 – a target which was to prove well beyond Havant, who were dismissed for 135.
Ben Rogers (30), potent on anything pitched up, lost Dom Hand and Ryan Scott at 12, both victims of Eastern Province medium-paceman Siviwe Gadana, who went on to take 5-52 on Havant debut.
Rogers was next to perish to the experienced South African provincial cricketer, but Hilton College product Gareth Schreuder (31) looked to take the attack to Havant, pulling a six and hitting two delightful fours before becoming over ambitious and skiing a catch off Chris Morgan’s left-arm spin.
Four wickets later at 94-7 it appeared Lymington might struggle to reach 120, but slowly and surely Fisher took control of a potentially delicate situation.
The former Sherborne School batsman hit only four boundaries, but rotated the strike nicely with the emerging Josh Royan (30), whose 63-run partnership with Fisher was to have a crucial bearing on the outcome of the game.
Fisher then added a further 44 with Dan Cox (17 not out) to guide Lymington to a creditable 203-8.
Havant have lifted the title on a record number of occasions, but whilst their mix of spin and pace bowling remains strong, their batting back real depth, especially with skipper Chris Stone (knee injury) sidelined.
They suffered an early blow when Stu Ransley was caught at gully, but progressed to 56-1 through Harry Gadd (29) and Pete Hopson (37).
But Havant never took any control and Lymington gradually nibbled away, with Guy Layman (3-30) and Ryan Scott (3-17), with his teasing late swing, reducing the hosts to 84-7 before a late flurry took the final total to 135, Matt Metcalfe taking 2-31.
The ginger haired 19-year old, who spent the past winter playing and coaching in the Winelands region of South Africa, came to Lymington’s aid after his side had dropped to 94-7 against the eight–time Premier Division winners.
His unbeaten 69, aided by fellow youngsters Josh Royan and Dan Cox, guided Lymington to a competitive 203-8 – a target which was to prove well beyond Havant, who were dismissed for 135.
Ben Rogers (30), potent on anything pitched up, lost Dom Hand and Ryan Scott at 12, both victims of Eastern Province medium-paceman Siviwe Gadana, who went on to take 5-52 on Havant debut.
Rogers was next to perish to the experienced South African provincial cricketer, but Hilton College product Gareth Schreuder (31) looked to take the attack to Havant, pulling a six and hitting two delightful fours before becoming over ambitious and skiing a catch off Chris Morgan’s left-arm spin.
Four wickets later at 94-7 it appeared Lymington might struggle to reach 120, but slowly and surely Fisher took control of a potentially delicate situation.
The former Sherborne School batsman hit only four boundaries, but rotated the strike nicely with the emerging Josh Royan (30), whose 63-run partnership with Fisher was to have a crucial bearing on the outcome of the game.
Fisher then added a further 44 with Dan Cox (17 not out) to guide Lymington to a creditable 203-8.
Havant have lifted the title on a record number of occasions, but whilst their mix of spin and pace bowling remains strong, their batting back real depth, especially with skipper Chris Stone (knee injury) sidelined.
They suffered an early blow when Stu Ransley was caught at gully, but progressed to 56-1 through Harry Gadd (29) and Pete Hopson (37).
But Havant never took any control and Lymington gradually nibbled away, with Guy Layman (3-30) and Ryan Scott (3-17), with his teasing late swing, reducing the hosts to 84-7 before a late flurry took the final total to 135, Matt Metcalfe taking 2-31.