Liphook & Ripsley v Ventnor: OPENING batsman Rob Nicklin was man-of-the-match for Liphook and Ripsley Cricket Club in their vital 49-run win against Ventnor at Ripsley Park in Division 1 of the Southern Premier Cricket League on Saturday afternoon.

Nicklin’s patient and chanceless 101 included seven fours and two sixes, smashing the main pavilion window with a towering straight drive in the process. He was strongly supported by a typically rapid cameo from Suman Ganguly, who scored 52 in 37 balls.

Liphook’s 259-8 was always too much for Ventnor despite a challenging second-wicket partnership of 105 between James Cheek (74) and Schaughn van Greunen (64).

Thereafter, wickets tumbled to spinners Harry Munt (4-27) and Dave Elliott (2-50), with Ventnor limited to 210 all out.

Following last week’s win against bottom of the table Tichborne Park, and with two fixtures to play, Liphook seem set for a mid-table finish.