Lewis McManus’s classy hundred proved in vain as Lymington suffered a 10-run defeat at the hands of ECB Southern Electric Premier Division rivals Hampshire Academy at the Sports Ground.
The Poole-born 20-year-old, who made an encouraging LV= County Championship debut for Hampshire against Yorkshire at Headingley last month, appeared to have swung an absorbing contest in Lymington’s favour after guiding them to within sight of the finishing line.
In pursuit of the Academy’s 229-6 declared, Lymington lurched to 60-4 following the departures of Ryan Scott, Cam Grierson, Don Hand (30) and Simon Beetham to Ryan Murray (4-49) and Tristan Alsop (4-41).
However, McManus, who is growing in confidence as a batsman, showed tremendous resolve to keep the reply on track.
He shared 53 with Ed Ellis (23) for the fifth wicket and then put on 52 with Chris Jennings for the eighth as Lymington reached 219-8.
But with plenty of time to spare, McManus (104) – who hit two sixes and 13 fours during his 107-ball stay – eventually succumbed to left-armer Tristan Alsop (4-41) before teenager Asa Drodge quickly followed suit as Lymington came up just short.
“Lew batted tremendously well and did everything to win it for Lymington,” praised Academy skipper Joe Weatherley.
“I found it hard to captain, with McManus going so well and having to continually change the bowling to comply with the junior age-group regulations.
“When they got to 200, I thought that was it, but we persevered and just about managed to hold on and win. It was a terrific game, a real learning curve for all the lads.”
Earlier, skipper Beetham (2-32) had removed both Joe Weatherley and Tom Alsop before Ben Duggan (72) and Brad Taylor (72) shared 77 for the third wicket to steady the ship for the Academy.
And although Scott (1-30) had Duggan caught by Ed Ellis at 130-3, Taylor went on to put on two 40-plus partnerships before becoming the second of Dom Hand’s three victims (3-58).
It was Taylor’s fifth fifty-plus score in seven Premier Division games. After the match, the Isle of Wight based Duggan found he had been named Southern Electric Premier Division Cricketer of the Month for May.
The Poole-born 20-year-old, who made an encouraging LV= County Championship debut for Hampshire against Yorkshire at Headingley last month, appeared to have swung an absorbing contest in Lymington’s favour after guiding them to within sight of the finishing line.
In pursuit of the Academy’s 229-6 declared, Lymington lurched to 60-4 following the departures of Ryan Scott, Cam Grierson, Don Hand (30) and Simon Beetham to Ryan Murray (4-49) and Tristan Alsop (4-41).
However, McManus, who is growing in confidence as a batsman, showed tremendous resolve to keep the reply on track.
He shared 53 with Ed Ellis (23) for the fifth wicket and then put on 52 with Chris Jennings for the eighth as Lymington reached 219-8.
But with plenty of time to spare, McManus (104) – who hit two sixes and 13 fours during his 107-ball stay – eventually succumbed to left-armer Tristan Alsop (4-41) before teenager Asa Drodge quickly followed suit as Lymington came up just short.
“Lew batted tremendously well and did everything to win it for Lymington,” praised Academy skipper Joe Weatherley.
“I found it hard to captain, with McManus going so well and having to continually change the bowling to comply with the junior age-group regulations.
“When they got to 200, I thought that was it, but we persevered and just about managed to hold on and win. It was a terrific game, a real learning curve for all the lads.”
Earlier, skipper Beetham (2-32) had removed both Joe Weatherley and Tom Alsop before Ben Duggan (72) and Brad Taylor (72) shared 77 for the third wicket to steady the ship for the Academy.
And although Scott (1-30) had Duggan caught by Ed Ellis at 130-3, Taylor went on to put on two 40-plus partnerships before becoming the second of Dom Hand’s three victims (3-58).
It was Taylor’s fifth fifty-plus score in seven Premier Division games. After the match, the Isle of Wight based Duggan found he had been named Southern Electric Premier Division Cricketer of the Month for May.
