Lymington had an outstanding win by six wickets at the Sports Ground against league leaders South Wilts to give the side three successive victories. As captain Gareth Berg said “it was probably the best performance by the side since I joined the club. The team was very disciplined and every player played their part”. Yet conditions were not easy given the hot, energy sapping weather and that Charlie Wilson our overseas player was unavailable.

Lymington needed a good start and Berg won the toss for the third successive game putting South Wilts into bat on a wicket that helped the seamers and all seven bowlers used playing their part. Keeper Robbie Hemmings also had a good day taking three catches. South Wilts were soon two wickets down as opening bowler Guy Layman (2-28) had both James Degg (9), the side’s leading run scorer this season, and Joshua Chippendale (0) out cheaply. Tom Cheater (10) soon followed out to an excellent catch on the boundary by Jovan Dhariwal off the bowling of Josh Royan (1-18).

However, opener Harry Broderick (73) and wicket keeper captain Ben Draper (37) seized the initiative and put on 78 for the fourth wicket before both fell just before lunch to Jovan Dhariwal (1-28) and Asad Abbas (1-18). Asad’s league season finally got off the ground after having been the victim of several dropped catches in previous games and also taking a good catch himself. The Lymington bowlers continued to plug away despite the resistance of Matthew Falconer (33) before he was out lbw to Dom Hand (1-25) in a tidy spell. Thor Howell (2-44) then polished off the tail with Gareth Berg (1-36) chipping in with the wicket of Trishawn Francis (14).

After Robbie Hemmings (3) was unluckily out lbw to opening bowler Matthew Falconer (1-15) it was left to the Lymington “old timers” to lay the foundations to the Lymington innings. Opener Terry Crabb (104) continued his good form in a knock that included 74 in boundaries and got the rewards he deserved with an outstanding century celebrated wildly by spectators and players alike. He has been joined by Dom Hand (44) in a defiant knock having played little first team cricket in recent years but has been determined to get back into the groove this season.

The pair put on 156 runs for the second wicket that took 40 overs such was the pressure from the opposition bowlers with South Wilts using nine in a bid to prise out the Lymington batters. A tired and warm Crabb was eventually bowled by Harry Broderick (1-6) and Hand soon followed bowled by Archie Pascoe (1-48). However, Ryan Scott (26 not out) held firm and with Gareth Berg (17 not out) saw Lymington home with 10 overs to spare.

This win sees Lymington move up to a mid-table position, being in sixth place, and now faces another home game this coming Saturday against local rivals, Bashley, who are anchored at the foot of the table and yet to win this season. This is another 120 overs timed game with an 11am start.

Photo: Opener Terry Crabb celebrating his hundred; Photo by Conor Moors