Liphook & Ripsley v Portsmouth: LIPHOOK and Ripsley fell to an emphatic 118-run defeat at home to Portsmouth in Division 1 of the Southern Premier Cricket League on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides fielded seriously depleted sides, but it was Portsmouth who came out on top at Ripsley Park.

Batting frailties were evident from both sides. The visitors were 74-4 and 91-5 before a patient 73 by Pradeep Bains led a runaway recovery to 243-9. Bains shared 50-run partnerships with James Christian (25) and Andrew Marston (40 not out). Chaz Janczur (3-53) and Sean Burton (3-40) both took three wickets for the home side.

Liphook’s batting was even less impressive with only Grant Rouse (38) catching the eye. Liphook were already struggling when left-arm spinner Marston proceeded to run through the home batting with an impressive 5-37. The hosts were all out for 130.