Shalford II v Liphook and Ripsley III - Saturday 4 May 2019
2 games played and we are top of the league!
The weather conditions have still not woken up to the new cricket season, and for the second weekend, the players had to endure wind and rain on a Saturday afternoon. But this Liphook team is made of stern stuff and donned their thermals to bat after Captain Alastair Lewis uncharacteristically lost the toss.
Openers John Strong (55) and Mick Poore (18) shared a half century opening partnership before Mick was clean bowled. Alastair Lewis made 36, and Andy Grimes weighted in with 17, but it was Toby Flack who was once again the scourge of the opposition bowlers, following up his 114 last week with a tremendous 65 not out. Liphook and Ripsley had scored 224 for 6 in their 40 overs, but there was no time to hit the fun fair over the road as Liphook needed to defend their score.
Once again, the bowling was excellent, with the opening bowlers, Dylan Grimes (0-20) and Richard Grimes (3-28) not allowing Shalford to settle. Wickets fell consistently and the heart was taken out of the Shalford innings by Liphook's spin twins of John Strong (3-36) and Taskin Akash (2-38). William Longlands (0-7), Al Lewis (1-8) and Ross Seavill (0-7) kept the pressure on and despite 44 from Steve Gotham and supporting contributions from Dave Reed (28) and Finley Wells (21), Shalford were bowled out for 151, giving Liphook a 73 run victory.
2 games played and Liphook and Ripsley III are top of the league and enjoying life in the I'Anson league.