LYMINGTON, early ECB Southern Premier Division pacesetters after four successive wins.
Standing (from left): Ryan Scott, Dan Cox, Ollie Calcott, Josh Proctor, Ben Rogers, Dom Hand. Seated: Ben Attrill, Josh Royan, Matt Metcalfe, Darren Cowley, Gareth Schreuder.
Standing (from left): Ryan Scott, Dan Cox, Ollie Calcott, Josh Proctor, Ben Rogers, Dom Hand. Seated: Ben Attrill, Josh Royan, Matt Metcalfe, Darren Cowley, Gareth Schreuder.
Lymington, the side many pundits forecast would be relegated, are in nosebleed territory as they sit proudly at the top of the ECB Southern Premier Division with a 100 per cent record.
They are probably pinching themselves after emerging from the initial phase of ‘white ball’ 50-over matches with four successive wins tucked under their belts.
Their remarkable and totally unexpected start to the campaign – they finished second to bottom to New Milton in 2018 - continued with a five-wicket win at Burridge, twice runners up in the past three seasons.
Terry Crabb’s unbeaten 72, aided by Matt Metcalfe, provided the match winning knock.
Lymington could hardly have made a better start – Azim Chowdury trapped leg before by the first ball of the match by Matt Metcalfe (3-30), then Richard Lock bowled by Guy Layman (2-44) soon after.
Cape Town all-rounder Hilio De Abreu (43) steadied the ship, but Burridge were never able to break the mould as Darren Cowley chipped in with two wickets.
Dan Stancliffe (35) produced arguably Burridge’s best knock, but it was left to ninth-wicket pair Rick Ankers (25 not out) and Oli Wright (26 not out) to ensure a final 188-8 gave the hosts a reasonable total to defend.
Lymington seldom start well but from 39-2 they progressed to 96, through left-hander Crabb (who targeted teenage pace ace Oli Southon) and young South African Gareth Schreuder (28), whose knock included one huge six over the electronic scoreboard and into the River Hamble.
Stancliffe created a mini-wobble as Lymington lost three wickets for 14 runs, but Crabb and Metcalfe, with a timely 36 not out, ensured there were no further losses as the visitors eased to a fourth straight win.
They are probably pinching themselves after emerging from the initial phase of ‘white ball’ 50-over matches with four successive wins tucked under their belts.
Their remarkable and totally unexpected start to the campaign – they finished second to bottom to New Milton in 2018 - continued with a five-wicket win at Burridge, twice runners up in the past three seasons.
Terry Crabb’s unbeaten 72, aided by Matt Metcalfe, provided the match winning knock.
Lymington could hardly have made a better start – Azim Chowdury trapped leg before by the first ball of the match by Matt Metcalfe (3-30), then Richard Lock bowled by Guy Layman (2-44) soon after.
Cape Town all-rounder Hilio De Abreu (43) steadied the ship, but Burridge were never able to break the mould as Darren Cowley chipped in with two wickets.
Dan Stancliffe (35) produced arguably Burridge’s best knock, but it was left to ninth-wicket pair Rick Ankers (25 not out) and Oli Wright (26 not out) to ensure a final 188-8 gave the hosts a reasonable total to defend.
Lymington seldom start well but from 39-2 they progressed to 96, through left-hander Crabb (who targeted teenage pace ace Oli Southon) and young South African Gareth Schreuder (28), whose knock included one huge six over the electronic scoreboard and into the River Hamble.
Stancliffe created a mini-wobble as Lymington lost three wickets for 14 runs, but Crabb and Metcalfe, with a timely 36 not out, ensured there were no further losses as the visitors eased to a fourth straight win.
