Against the league leaders St. Cross Symondians Lymington not only had to contend with a team in form but also two Hampshire county championship players who were instrumental in ensuring victory for the opposition. It was also not helped by a dramatic Lymington batting collapse.

Losing the toss Lymington were put in to bat in helpful conditions for the bowlers. Yet the pre-lunch performance was promising, despite much playing and missing, as going into the lunch break Lymington were on 147-2. They were led by Terry Crabb (80) who has had an impressive season and is now up to 464 league runs. With fellow opener Dom Hand (13) they put on 28 for the first wicket before Byron Langley (3-53) struck. Then with Ethan Baker (25) the side moved on to 92-2 before Charlie Gwynn (3-55) took the first of his three wickets and Crabb was then joined by Charlie Wilson (31) as the pair put on 73 for the third wicket.

But then there was the dramatic batting collapse after lunch as seven wickets fell for just 28 runs spearheaded by Hampshire seamer, Dom Kelly (4-39), and some undisciplined batting. Josh Royan (29 not out), as has happened several times this season, did his best to hold the late order together, but ran out of partners after a last wicket partnership of 34 with Asad Abbas (11). Lymington needed at least 300 runs to stand a chance of getting a good result out of the game but fell 75 runs short on 227.

In reply Hampshire batsman Felix Organ (81 not out) who is also the side’s top run scorer this season then proceeded to anchor the St. Cross innings with a patient knock in 119 balls. Lymington had some initial success led by Gareth Berg (1-26) who had Gregor McKenzie (4) caught behind by Karanveer Kooner and then ran out Dom Kelly (22). While bowling, Berg fortuitously diverted the ball onto the stumps with the tip of his fingers with Kelly backing up.

Harry Trussler (20) then put on 51 for the third wicket with Organ before he was out to Jovan Dhariwal (1-45) and when Charlie Wilson (1-48) bowled ex-Lymington player Monam Abbas (4) Lymington thought they might have a chance. It was not to be as another ex-Lymington player Gareth Schreuder (76) in an aggressive knock that included 56 in boundaries then joined Organ in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 135 to see the side home in style with 20 overs to spare.

The side remain in one position off the bottom with the gap to Bashley narrowing and this coming Saturday travel to Burridge in another timed game with an 11am start. With injures and possible suspensions it will be interesting to see what the side will be.