With the last game of the season against South Wilts at Salisbury rained off it marked the end of a frustrating and difficult season for Lymington in the Premier Division of the Southern Premier Cricket League. After finishing third in 2025, their best ever position, Lymington only achieved eighth in 2026 and were even at the bottom of the table early on in the season.

Captain Gareth Berg described the season performances as both “inconsistent especially in crucial parts of games ” and “disappointing”. It took until the seventh game before Lymington recorded a victory that turned out to be the first of three consecutive wins but three defeats and one losing draw followed before again the side recorded three consecutive victories. The side could have finished fourth in the league but in the last game played there was again a heavy defeat not the best result to end a season on. Batting collapses did not do the side any favours such as against Premier Division league champions St. Cross Symondians.

Captain Gareth Berg enjoyed 11 wickets in two consecutive games finishing with 21 wickets at an average of 16.67 and with the second highest economy rate in the Premier Division. This included 6-23 in the first win of the season against the Hampshire Academy, all out for 72, and then 5-20 as the side smashed Portsmouth having bowled them out for 83. He was unplayable at times. Guy Layman ended the season with 19 wickets, at an average of just 14.05, including 5-20 at Alton, his first fifer since 2018, in the middle of a purple patch towards the end of the season.

The evergreen Terry Crabb top scored with 679 runs at an average of 37.93 and having been out just short of a century (with 94) then achieved it with a knock of 104 against league runners up South Wilts who at the time led the league before they were defeated by Lymington. Ethan Baker showed his class with 146 at the Utilita Bowl against his old club the Hampshire Academy with Lymington doing the double against the Hampshire youngsters. Our third century maker was the 130 of Berg at Bashley but in this opening fixture of the season the game had to be abandoned because of rain. Batting down the order Josh Royan had four not outs, out of 11 innings, and so had an average of nearly 40 and proved invaluable in either preventing defeat or seeing the side home in several games. Robbie Hemmings held 16 catches and had one stumping while Conor Moors who deputised for Hemmings behind the stumps on a number of occasions took 7 catches.

Our overseas player from New Zealand, Charlie Wilson showed his worth as an all-rounder being the second highest run scorer with 446 while taking 16 wickets

Seventeen year-old Thor Howell took 16 wickets while 14 year old Freddie Naylor had a dream debut contributing to a nail biting 2 wicket win against Sarisbury Athletic. Such a good crop of youngsters augur well for the future of the club.

It will be sad that there will be no local derby against Bashley, who were relegated, in the League next season who will be replaced by Fair Oak.

Team photo taken by Ginu Varghese