Given the weather forecast it was always going to be a battle with the rain and it was a credit to the groundsmen and the positive attitude of the umpires that the game started on time and even lasted 58 overs before conditions became impossible. For Lymington it was the batting of Terry Crabb (79) that kept Lymington in the game. The game featured four of the top five Premier Division bowlers this season including Lymington’s Gareth Berg (first) and Eddie Withington (fourth).

It was a toss to win but as Gareth Berg lost it Lymington were inevitably put in to bat with the damp, cloudy conditions favouring the fast bowlers. Openers Bash Walters (3-51) and June Wright (3-41) bowled 30 overs between them and are now both in the top 5 wicket takers for the season. Ben Shoare (10) and Terry Crabb (79) inevitably got off to a slow start putting on 19 runs for the first wicket before Shoare was caught. This then led to a batting collapse as six wickets fell for just 32 runs including three ducks.

Eventually Crabb was then joined by Josh Royan (38 not out) as the pair put on 89 runs for the seventh wicket in 167 balls. Batting sensibly with Crabb having spent the week adjusting his technique the pair took the initiative away from the Alton bowlers as the innings gained momentum. With the departure of Crabb, having hit 13 fours and one six, the innings subsided with the last four wickets falling for just four runs being largely polished off by spinner Tom South (3-22) leaving Josh Royan high and dry. It was a day of taking wickets behind the stumps that included wicket keeper Mark Hefferman with three catches and one stumping.

Lymington opening bowler Eddie Withington (1-7) was again quick off the mark taking a wicket in his first over thanks to a sharp catch in the slips by Ryan Scott. This represents the fifth time in six league games he has taken a wicket in his first over as opening batsmen underestimate his pace and swing with the new ball. However, the rain started to threaten with a rain break required and a wicket that was getting slippery for bowler and batsman plus an increasingly wet ball with the sides finally coming off at 15.45 never to return. Before then Alton had crawled to 15-1 in 8.2 overs with Sam Ruffell (4 not out) and Sam Ruffell (11 not out). Gareth Berg (0-8 in four overs) also bowled tightly.

This coming Saturday the side are again at home to the Hampshire Academy, last season’s champions, who lie fifth in the table. This another timed 120 over game with an 11.00am start. This is also Vice President’s Day and other generous Lymington donors who are invited to tea.

Photo of Terry Crabb is courtesy of Stephen Nicholls.