The moderate wind and cloud pushing around Ripsley were not enough to deter our 11s from facing our nearest rivals, Petersfield.

The team won the toss and captain, Archie B, chose to bowl. A confident performance with the ball, we managed a conservative four wickets, with Rafferty B taking 2 and Archie B and Freddie R taking one a piece. There were a few wides floating around, however the team kept these to a modest 30 which is a great improvement. Petersfield pushed out in the final pair adding 28 runs, finishing with 74/4 to set a score of 254 to chase.

Petersfield struck with the ball early, taking their first wicket on the third ball of the innings to push our score below 200. Their tight bowling continued for the first pair (Archie B and Ben R), and we were struggling to push the total forward. Freddie R and Rafferty B added 18 with their partnership for the loss of just one to get the score moving ahead. Riley C and Jacob F came on and, after 2 early wickets, organised their great calling between the wickets to sneak a number of byes and keep the total moving up. Rafferty B came on again with Bertie B to chase down a difficult 27 to win off the last four overs.

After taking 5 in the first and then 11 in their second, they needed 10 off the last 2 overs to seal the deal. A couple of wides and some great fast byes in the 15th saw 7 of the remaining 10 vanish. Leaving just 3 off the last over, so long as no wickets were lost. With 2 balls remaining Bertie snuck the final bye to push Liphook ahead. With Rafferty on strike they needed to survive the last 2 balls without loss; and he did exactly that, leaving both balls that were slightly wide of off stump to sail through to the keeper and to secure the victory by one run!

A rapturous home crowd celebrated loudly the thinnest of winning margins. Well done to the team for holding their nerve and taking the points!

Scorecard : https://landr.play-cricket.com/website/results/7039401