Lymington achieved third place in the Premier Division the highest in their history in the SPCL surpassing their fourth position of 2019. Consistency was the key as captain Gareth Berg demanded of the side throughout the season. The club remained in the top three throughout the season including seven weeks at the top.
The last match of the season though on the seafront at Southsea against Portsmouth and Southsea though had to be abandoned as rain eventually swept in from the Solent in mid-afternoon. Winning the toss Lymington elected to bat and at least some cricket could be played as the weather forecast had suggested otherwise. Opener Terry Crabb (20) did not hang about with 18 in boundaries until he was caught off the bowling of Dan Wibble (2-47). Given his batting talent Monam Abbas (5) has had a disappointing season and soon followed and Robbie Hemmings (4) was out shortly after. Ryan Scott (10) and Berg (71) then stabilised the innings putting on 47 for the fourth wicket.
Following Scott’s dismissal Jovan Dhariwal played a supporting role as Berg powered ahead with some fine shots including 12 fours before playing a loose shot much to his annoyance when a century was on the cards. He was caught off the bowling of Jack Pearce (2-45)on a wicket offering some help to the spinners. This though brought in Conor Moors (33) playing another attacking knock, after his heroics of the previous week, with two sixes before attempting another one and getting caught on the boundary. At the other end Dhariwal (31 not out) returned to form with another solid innings as the pair put on 57 for the sixth wicket before the showers followed by heavy rain arrived.
To round off a successful season Lymington play St. Cross Symondians in the final of the SPCL T20 cup this coming Saturday with a 14.00 start. The game might be played at the St. Cross home ground but Lymington will be taking many supporters and no doubt have the support of the neutral spectators as the opposition could well have three first class county players in their side.
Of the individual performances over the season Berg proved his all-round credentials finishing fourth in the league Premier Division batting, scoring 604 runs at an average of 46.46. He was fifth in the bowling department with 31 wickets at an average of just 16.26. His economy rate (runs conceded per over) and strike rate (overs per wicket) were some of the best in the league and also had the best bowling performance in the Division with 7-21 against Burridge. Berg also took seven sharp catches especially off the spinners behind the wicket.
Monam Abbas matched the wicket taking of Berg finishing sixth in the Division with an average of 18.65. Terry Crabb also had a good season playing regularly again for the firsts scoring 439 runs at an average of 33.77 while taking 10 catches, mainly sharp ones in the slips. Robbie Hemmings finished as fifth highest wicket keeper taking 18 catches and two stumpings.