Lymington maintained their position at the top of the Premier league overcoming local rivals Bashley for the second time this season in a tight game. For Bashley it was the spinners that gave the side the edge helped by a turning wicket followed by an attacking knock from Louis Clayton (61). For Lymington it was a day for the all-rounders with Jovan Dhariwal scoring 48 with the bat before taking 3-28 with the ball. Monam Abbas, returning from injury, scored 47 before taking 5-43 with the ball.

The Lymington batting was again disappointing with captain Gareth Berg wanting batters to have “a game plan” but it was again the bowlers and “that winning is becoming a habit” philosophy that saw the side home against a determined opposition.

Lymington were in some danger when Louis Clayton, promoted to open the batting, set about the bowling attack with his knock including 48 in boundaries in just 41 balls. With the more defensive minded Ethan Baker (17) the pair put on 72 for the first wickets before Monam Abbas had both out thanks to some smart work by Robbie Hemmings including the stumping of Clayton.

Four wickets fell for just 26 runs and the Bashley batters needed to get back on track with captain Michael Porter (30) who had scored 123 runs the previous week, putting on 54 runs for the fifth wicket with Dan Goodey (33). But then a capitulation followed as Dhariwal, with his medium pacers, and Abbas with his left arm spin got going with Bashley losing their last six wickets for 24 runs. The last five batters scored just 12 runs and were finding it difficult to get the bowlers away and Lymington were home by 61 runs much to the delight and relief of the home supporters.

Photo courtesy of James Robinson

Previous to this drama, having lost the toss Lymington were put into bat on a damp morning but luckily no rain despite the forecast. Terry Crabb was out first ball to spinner Louis Prichard (3-59) who went on to take the wicket of Robbie Hemmings (11). However, Dhariwal was joined by Abbas as the pair put on 84 runs for the third wicket but both were then out in sight of their fifty. Josh Digby (3-47) had the wicket of Dhariwal after a patient knock that lasted 101 balls while poor shot selection saw the end of Abbas bowled by Ethan Baker (4-77).

Lymington’s other key all-rounder Gareth Berg (52) then held sway and with an intelligent innings from Jude Tollerfield (27) the pair put on 61 runs for the sixth wicket. But then the last five wickets went for just 37 with Josh Royan (22) as the Bashley spinners polished off the tail.

This coming Saturday Lymington are away to Bournemouth who are at the foot of the table but finally managed to win a league game for only the second time this season last weekend.