In an entertaining local derby Lymington just missed out to defeating rivals, and top of the table, Bashley that would otherwise have been for the first time in six years. Lymington fell just 19 runs short and going well with 5.4 overs to go when a heavy shower came and the game unable to be finished in time.

Lymington even won the toss for a change and captain Ben Rogers chose to field. Bashley had several first team players missing and a long tail. Damp conditions helped the Lymington seamers and they soon had Ben Walker out thanks to a diving one-handed catch by keeper Conor Moors off the bowling of Gareth Berg (2-45). Fellow opener Will Tripcony (21) and Jack Stearman (48) then put on 30 for the second wicket before Tripcony was caught by Jovan Dhariwal off Guy Layman (1-12). Stearman was then joined by youngster Jacob Gordon (73) as the pair put on 92 for the third wicket before the former holed out to a good catch by Monam Abbas off Josh Royan (2-46).

Alex Turner (15) was then caught by Conor Moors who took four catches in the Bashley innings. Captain Dan Goodey (35) tried to keep the lower order together but once Gordon was out the innings subsided as the last six wickets fell for 32 runs mainly to Liam Thompson (4-57). The total hardly seemed enough on a good batting track with Lymington having 59 overs to get the runs although this was subsequently reduced to 54 overs because of a rain break after tea.

With the hard new ball, it was not an easy start for Lymington with much playing and missing and both openers were out by the time 44 runs were on the board. Jovan Dhariwal after his almost four- hour knock of last weekend only lasted 24 minutes before he was caught by keeper Jack Harris off a pacey Mahmood Azam (1-23) who unfortunately had to leave the game later picking up a hamstring injury. Ben Rogers (11) was then out to Louis Prichard (1-40). Josh Royan (40) promoted to number three then pushed the innings forwards before he ran himself out at the danger end going for a second run.

Lymington then fell to 102-4 when Kamran Dhariwal (18) was out to a spectacular one-handed catch by George Wilson off Jacob Gordon (1-57). Monam Abaas (56) though was getting into his stride and he was joined by Conor Moors (60 not out) as the pair both with powerful knocks put on 89 for the fifth wicket. Abbas was then caught by Louis Prichard off the bowling of Dan Goodey (1-60) but then the rain came to Bashley’s rescue and the game had to be ended. At least though Lymington had a winning draw as their run rate was higher than that of Bashley.

This coming Saturday Lymington have a home clash with Bournemouth with another 11 am start.