Liphook and Ripsley v Hampshire Academy - Match Report

Liphook & Ripsley v Hampshire Academy

The boot was on the other foot this week as Hampshire this time were on the right end of a rain-affected game in which they came out as rather undeserving winners, a point not lost to acting captain Tony Middleton.

In identical fashion to Hampshire's previous and only game, the side batting first scored 190-9.

Overseas opener Alistair Gray got Liphook off to a flier, racing to 56 in 67 balls with a six and 8 fours. Former skipper Duncan Berry bludgeoned 49 in just 46 balls, including four big leg-side sixes to go with 2 fours, but from a position of strength at 144-2 in the 33rd over, Liphook crashed to 160-7 at the first of two rain delays. Eventually. Liphook limped to 190-9 in their allocated 50 overs.

Requiring a reduced target of 130 in 34 overs, the Academy made rather heavy work of it. After Kevin Latouf had struck a confident 26 in 33 balls, Tim Wheatley (2-28) and in particular Andy Crawford with his off spin had Hampshire in tatters at 58-5. But then in strode the confident Mitchell Stokes. Typically, the 16-year-old all-rounder went for his shots, admirably supported by wicket-keeper Tom Burrows; the pair putting on 41 runs in 27 minutes, before the former departed for a very well made 29 in 28 balls (1 six, 2 fours). Another collapse followed, and when Burrows (21) departed 9 wickets were down with 11 still needed. But Middleton joined former Liphook old boy Charlie van der Gucht, who struck a vital four, to ease Hampshire over the line in scenes of chaotic excitement as the winning runs came in the fortuitous form of four byes.