The rain eventually put paid to a potentially exciting game against local rivals Bashley in the season opener in the league at the BCG in Bashley. This was not before captain Gareth Berg had put in a faultless batting performance with a century, his first for the club, writes Lionel Colby.

Losing the toss on a lovely sunny morning Lymington were in deep trouble losing three wickets for just 14 runs. It was left arm spinner Louis Prichard, opening the bowling, who did the damage having Dom Hand (1) and then next ball Karanveer Kooner (0). Fellow opener Terry Crabb soon followed. This gave Prichard the impressive analysis of 3-2 in 2.3 overs.

Batting at number four Gareth entered the fray on a hat-trick that he successfully defended before scoring 130 runs in 140 balls. Initially he was joined by Wellington, New Zealand overseas all-rounder, Charlie Wilson. The recovery started as the pair put on 60 for the fourth wicket with Wilson settling in well before he was out to an inauspicious stumping down the leg side by Patrick Lewis for 21 off the bowling of Cameron Basey (1-30).

Berg though was going along nicely and joined by Josh Royan (47) as the pair put on 114 runs for the fifth wicket in 25 overs as the Bashley bowlers found themselves under pressure with the wicket playing well. At one stage Berg in 15 consecutive deliveries scored 34 runs until he holed out down the leg side to ex-Lymington player Alvin Cameron (3-58). Royan batted selflessly in support of Berg but when in sight of his fifty chasing runs he was caught behind by Lewis. It was left to Guy Layman (15 not out) with a few lusty blows at the end to press home the Lymington advantage. But it was not to be as rain intervened just as the Lymington innings had ended on 236-8 in 50 overs.

This coming Saturday the 1st XI plays its first home game of the season at the sports ground against Bournemouth in a 50-50 overs match with an 11 am start. With the football season having just ended a lot of work has gone into preparation of the ground for cricket with the goalmouth and outfield representing a major challenge.

Lymington CC, and now with sponsorship from local builder Bargate Homes, is one of the leading clubs in the south of England and needs a good ground if it is to maintain this status helped by support of the town council. With four adult sides and five junior teams involving 70 youngsters from under 9’s to under 16’s and 20 boys and girls aged 5-8 years playing All Stars cricket it plays its part in supporting sport in the town. It also has a growing women’s section with 25 players and introduced a girls’ team this season.