Liphook & Ripsley v Calmore Sports: LIPHOOK and Ripsley’s first team won an exciting two-wicket victory against league strugglers Calmore Sports in their Southern Electric Premier League Division 1 match at Ripsley Park.

Liphook enjoyed some impressive hard hitting which should have put the result beyond doubt but later had to hang on to overcome a late batting collapse.

Calmore elected to bat on a dry, flat wicket which presented few problems. Led by 69 from Ben Perry and James Rose’s 43 not out, the visitors progressed steadily to 216-7 off their 50 overs.

The pick of the Liphook bowlers were off-spinner Elliott Hawkins (3-34) and opening bowler Suman Ganguly, who completed his ten overs of seam unchanged for just 20 runs.

The Liphook reply was fast and furious, spearheaded by opener Rob Nicklin who smashed 44 in fine style before a bowling change broke his concentration.

Number three Giles Cover (53) then shared in a vital partnership of 115 full of aggression and fine shots with Ganguly (84 not out).

At 176-3 after only 20 overs, victory seemed in sight. Following

Cover’s dismissal, however, James Rose spun some magic to take 4-31.

Five wickets fell for a mere 28 runs with no other Liphook batsman reaching double figures.

Nerves became very much part of the equation and it was left to Ganguly and Sean Burton to scramble Liphook to victory at 218-8 with 13 overs to spare.