Munt Leads the Way.

A patient and decisive 5th wkt stand of 69 between top scorer Harry Munt 69 and Jonny Price 39 was the backbone of Liphook & Ripsley’s nail-biting 14 run Mays Bounty win over Basingstoke & N Hants 2nds in SPL Div II.

Rob Nicklin 23 started brightly with 4 fours, with 14 each for both Chris Martin and Ric Williams. However, it was the 102 ball knock of Harry Munt that made him Man of the Match - a late surge of 11 boundaries after an admirably patient start. Chaz Janczur then contributed a useful 19 at No 9 to help set up a healthy target of 210 (all out) after 50 overs. For Basingstoke, Mathew Thankachan 4-31 was the most effective, with 2-28 from the economical Keith Harris.

The Basingstoke innings mirrored that of the visitors, dominated by 67 from Scott Dyer. Around him, others offered promise but soon departed, other than mid order partner Lewis Weir’s 60 ball 27. Their 5th wicket 72 run pairing began to suggest a possible home victory.

Liphook took advantage a helpful strip to with three spinners. Leading the way was left arm orthodox Dave Elliott with a crucial 3-35, three victims from the home side’s top four. He was supported by the control of Oscar Amis and Rob Nicklin.

Finally, skipper Sean Burton returned to mop up the tail with an invaluable spell of at the death seam 4-34, to leave Basingstoke 14 short on 196 all out.