Andover v Liphook & Ripsley: LIPHOOK and Ripsley slipped to a close eight-run defeat at Andover on Saturday in Division 1 of the Southern Premier Cricket League.

Andover batted first, and James O’Gorman (73), Glynn Treagus (57) and Max Souter (50) all made half-centuries as the hosts scored an imposing 289-9 off their allotted 50 overs. George Neave (4-71), Jack Campbell (2-26), Dan Wrenn (2-46) and Charles Janczur (1-50) were all among the wickets for Liphook.

The visitors made a fine attempt at chasing the large total, with Rob Nicklin (34), Giles Cover (19), Chris Martin (40), Ben Tibble (20) and Dan Wrenn (33) all getting in and getting out. Liphook looked unlikely to win the game at 146-6, but George Neave came in at number eight and smashed 89 not out off 64 balls as Liphook finished their allotted 50 overs on 281-7, just nine runs short of what would have been a highly unlikely victory for the visitors.