After a dismal four weeks without a win Lymington finally turned it around against Sarisbury with a two wicket win but not before an agonising finish. It marked the first XI debut for 14 year old Freddie Naylor who not only took two wickets with his spin but was also there at the end as Lymington squeezed home.

Captain Gareth Berg commented the “batting was a bit negative at times and the side need to improve on that” while a “few dropped catches made it difficult but the energy was there” Three players made their season debut for the 1st XI.

Having won the toss Lymington got off to a flyer as Sarisbury’s Joe Baker (5) the Premier Division’s second highest run scorer this season was caught behind by stand-in keeper Conor Moors off the bowling of Charlie Wilson (1-16). Moors marked his debut this season with a professional all-round performance both behind the stumps and being top scorer in the Lymington innings. Thereafter, Lymington held the initiative as wickets fell regularly. Bertie Adkins (1-33) also making his season debut for the first XI then had Zimbabwean overseas player Nathaniel Hlabangana (20) caught by Wilson.

Guy Layman (4-34) then proceeded to rip out the middle order including bowling both Sam Cooper (13) and the dangerous Nathan Feltham (33). Asad Abbas (2-13) then put further pressure on the Sarisbury batters with the wickets of Jordan Wright (4) and Connor Clark (6). Sarisbury captain Rob Franklin (24) then did his best to hold the tail together until Freddie Naylor (2-19) polished off the innings with Sarisbury falling well short of a competitive total and only batting for 35 overs.

In reply, Lymington did not make it easy for themselves and Sarisbury could have won it at the death had they not spilled key catches. Joshua Williams (4-52) and Connor Clark (2-41) were always going to be a handful being in the top three wicket takers in the Premier Division this season. Opener Domic Hand (16) was run out after Terry Crabb (8) had a rare failure. Wilson (23) and Moors (32) then stabilised the innings for a while putting on 35 for the fourth wicket until a moment of madness saw Wilson stumped by Hlabangana who had a good day behind the stumps as he also took four catches.

Then as has happened before this season Josh Royan (20 not out) came to the rescue but not before three wickets fell for 10 runs including that of Gareth Berg who is still a bit out of sorts with his batting. Batting at ten, Naylor (1 not out) did his bit to support Royan and Lymington were home by two wickets with Royan hitting a four much to the relief of the players and Lymington supporters.

The side remain one position off the relegation zone although the gap to Bashley has widened who had a losing draw at the weekend. This coming Saturday the side are away to Alton in a limited overs game.

Freddie is bottom right in photo taken by Ginu Varghese