Lymington enjoyed a third successive victory against a youthful Hampshire Academy side as Ethan Baker struck with an innings of 146. It even moved Lymington up to seventh position in the table to ensure it would be competing in the SPCL top division next season in an excellent all-round performance by the side writes Lionel Colby.

Having lost the toss the Academy captain Sam Ashman put Lymington into bat on a lovely batting wicket full of runs including a square that was looking refreshingly green. Dom Hand (0) was soon out to Freddie Gillett (2-68) but then Ethan Baker came to the wicket and put on 73 with Ryan Scott (35) who found a bit of form before being caught off the bowling of Henry Pockney (2-45). Baker then had a partnership of 98 with Charlie Wilson (31) before Alfie Appleby Ingram (2-62) had Wilson lbw. Conor Moors (11) then had a supporting role as Baker powered forwards in a partnership of 54 for the fourth wicket.

The later batters pushed the score to well over 300 with a cameo knock from Gareth Berg (34) who at last was finding some form and an in- form Robbie Hemmings (17) after his hundred for the 2nds the previous Saturday. It was a remarkable innings of Baker who himself played for the Academy in 2023 and 2024 and maybe had something to prove scoring 146 in just 105 balls with 108 in boundaries that included eight sixes. This was the third highest total in the Premier Division this season yet he was dropped twice including an easy catch for Alfie Appleby Ingram when on 37.

A total of 323 was always going to be a challenge for the Academy and first change Lymington bowler Guy Layman (3-41) continued his good form as he removed both openers Samand Khan (23) and Appleby Ingram (12) and the side slipped to 36-2. But then the dangerous Sam Ashman (48), the Academy’s top scorer and fourth highest in the Premier Division, came to the wicket and with Freddie Gillett (31) the pair put on 65 for the third wicket. However, 17 year old islander Bertie Adkins (2-49) enjoyed the scalp of Ashman caught and the Academy had slipped to 103-4.

Freddie Gillett (31) and Adam Bourne then put on 51 for the fifth wicket before Ethan Baker (2-36) had Gillett caught. Oliver Williams (43) then joined Bourne in a stand of 53 but once the partnership had been broken the Academy innings fell away with the last four wickets falling for 31 as Asad Abbas (3-51) struck. Nine of the Academy side fell to catches with Dom Hand holding on to four in the deep while normal wicketkeeper Robbie Hemmings took two as a fielder.

Lymington can now look forward to its last home league fixture of the season against Portsmouth and a win would move the side further up the table even into the top half if other results go their way.

Photo: Ethan Baker celebrating his century. Courtesy of Megan Webster.