1st XI Suffer convinicing loss at the hands of St Cross

Crucial Toss Favours Opponents.

Unlucky Liphook & Ripsley skipper Chaz Janczur saw the coin crucially fall the wrong side up at their Southern Premier League fixture v St Cross Symondians IIs at the Grenjackets ground in Winchester. After consistent rain, the match had already been to reduced to 40 overs per side when the covers came off in overcast conditions with a damp outfield. Inevitably Liphook were asked to bat.

St Cross openers James Allen 1-28 and Harry Foyle 2-18 soon reduced Liphook to 8-3 with the ball moving through the air and off the pitch – occasionally with variable bounce. George Neave 19 provided a bright cameo, putting on 36 with Jonny Price 16. It was not to last. Skipper Paul Orchard, with highly accurate away swing, was Man of the Match with 7.4-4-12-6, slicing through the rest of the Liphook batting, reduced to 86 all out in only 27.4 overs.

St Cross did not find reaching their target at all simple but had the advantage of a drying outfield and brighter weather. Janczur 3-22 and Sean Burton, who repeatedly made the St Cross batsmen play and miss without taking a wicket, both threatened. Neave with 2-8 was lively and rapid.

St Cross had left hander Jack Middleton 21 and Daniel Young 16 to thank for their patience. St. Cross lost half their side to finish on 87-5.

According to the adage: “Lose the toss – lose the match”.