A 543 run thriller, largely dominated by the bat, ended with Liphook & Ripsley securing a knife edge 11 run victory over Portsmouth in their opening British Gas Southern Premier Division 1 fixture at Ripsley Park.
Perhaps a bowler short, Portsmouth inserted Liphook , for whom Rob Nicklin (43) and the returning Ryan Covey (49) put on an authoritative opening stand of 75, writes Graham Symons.
Covey continued to build, both with new boy Maiak Ray (35) and Suman Ganguly reaching 44.
Thanks mainly to the slow left arm of Portsmouth’s Andy Marston (3-29), the home side was unable to capitalise fully, until Harry Munt (35) and Dave Oliver (23) put on an undefeated 55 for the 7th wicket, so setting Portsmouth a target of 277-6 in 50 overs.
Portsmouth had gifted the Ripsley men a telling 36 wides.
Portsmouth fought their way back into the game with openers Rick Locke (25) and Fraser Hay (28) in promising form.
However, it was a highly impressive and an accelerating 129 not out, with 10 fours and five sixes, from Jack Marston that suggested the chance of an improbable away win. He was ably assisted by a bright knock from Harry Collier (42).
For Liphook, skipper Chaz Janzcur (3-36) took vital wickets.
However, the issue was finally settled by some controlled ‘at the death’ seam from the experienced Covey and Ganguly as Portsmouth were left with too much to do in the final overs. Portsmouth 266-5.
Perhaps a bowler short, Portsmouth inserted Liphook , for whom Rob Nicklin (43) and the returning Ryan Covey (49) put on an authoritative opening stand of 75, writes Graham Symons.
Covey continued to build, both with new boy Maiak Ray (35) and Suman Ganguly reaching 44.
Thanks mainly to the slow left arm of Portsmouth’s Andy Marston (3-29), the home side was unable to capitalise fully, until Harry Munt (35) and Dave Oliver (23) put on an undefeated 55 for the 7th wicket, so setting Portsmouth a target of 277-6 in 50 overs.
Portsmouth had gifted the Ripsley men a telling 36 wides.
Portsmouth fought their way back into the game with openers Rick Locke (25) and Fraser Hay (28) in promising form.
However, it was a highly impressive and an accelerating 129 not out, with 10 fours and five sixes, from Jack Marston that suggested the chance of an improbable away win. He was ably assisted by a bright knock from Harry Collier (42).
For Liphook, skipper Chaz Janzcur (3-36) took vital wickets.
However, the issue was finally settled by some controlled ‘at the death’ seam from the experienced Covey and Ganguly as Portsmouth were left with too much to do in the final overs. Portsmouth 266-5.
