Liphook & Ripsley v Sparsholt: LIPHOOK and Ripsley’s cricketers have won through to the regional stages of the National Village Cup by defeating Sparsholt at Ripsley Park by 42 runs, having enjoyed previous Hampshire-round wins against Oakley, Bramshaw and Tichborne Park.

Opener Rob Nicklin made an excellent 73, with four fours and three sixes, and shared in a partnership of 57 with Suman Ganguly (36) to provide the foundation of the Liphook innings of 197-8.

There were also useful late order contributions from George Neave (22) and Toby Flack (19).

However, it was a devastating spell of 4-22 by seamer Ganguly which removed four of the Sparsholt top five, three without scoring. At 22-5, the issue seemed settled.

The visitors then made a creditable recovery with 29 from Dave Banks and 46 from Nick Doubell – and both batted with telling muscle injuries.

Greg Whiting (29) and Chris Mitchell (20) made a late effort which finally fell 46 runs short in the 34th over on 151.

Liphook will host Rockhampton of Gloucestershire in the first regional round at Ripsley Park at 1pm on June 25.