Luck was not on the side of new Liphook & Ripsley 1st XI skipper Sean Burton when he asked his depleted side to find ways around the M27 day closure to meet Paultons CC for their Southern League Div 2 match at Copythorne.

Having elected to bat, Liphook failed to take advantage of a hot day on a flat track with rapid outfield. The top order was unable to capitalise and a collapse saw the visitors shot out for a mere 117 in 38th of their allotted 50 overs.

The early batsmen had scored stylish runs with Harry Munt 22 and Chris Martin (5 fours) 26 putting on 57 for the 2nd wkt. Jonny Pryce showed great patience and George Neave shone briefly for 22 but the loss of 3 wkts with the score on 101 broke the back of the Liphook innings. No one else reached double figures. Andrew Denney 3-23 and Scott Dawes 3-6 were the beneficiaries: Paultons had maintained a good line and length throughout.

The Paultons batsmen were never in trouble, recordeding a 7 wkt win. There were stands of 47 for openers Cameron Grierson and Nathan Feltham and 50 for Julian Drake and Man of the Match George Congdon who steered his side to victory with an 8 boundary 46 not out in 23 overs: 119-3.

Neave, Nicklin and Burton each picked up a wicket and a solitary bowling point. No Paultons Park fun for Liphook.