Lymington batting was again exposed with a fragile performance at Basingstoke’s Mays Bounty ground. In the end it lost heavily by 94 runs to newly promoted Basingstoke and North Hants. The game though was played in a good spirit after disciplinary incidents involving both sides earlier in the season.

Lymington again won the toss and captain Ben Rogers put the opposition in to bat on a damp cloudy morning. Basingstoke got off to a steady start thanks to openers Alex Bovil (32) and under 16 player Abdullah Abid (52 in 115 balls). Gareth Berg (3-49) then removed the top of the off stump of Bovill and repeated this shortly afterwards taking the wicket of Ashley Neal (10). George Metzger (40) then joined Abid as the pair put on 78 for the third wicket before Assad Abbas (2-33) took the wickets of both. A middle order batting collapse saw Basingstoke lose 4 wickets for 36 runs helped by Liam Thompson (1-49) plus an excellent run-out by Josh Royan. However, Matt Deadman (63 not out) held firm including a 53-run partnership with captain Joe Oates (23). Oates was then caught off the bowling of Monam Abbas (2-40) who then with the help of his dad, Asad, taking a good catch in the deep, removed Matt Donaldson first ball. It was a disappointing bowling performance by Lymington with some struggling in getting to grips with the sloping wicket.

Lymington batters struggled from the start and were soon 64-4 after 10 overs. Opener Ben Rogers (15) was bowled by Sachi Sivanandan (2-32). Fellow opener Kamran Dhariwal (25) looking in good form can consider himself unlucky as a strong strike from Conor Moors (31) was diverted onto the stumps by bowler Bradley Neal (1-33) in his follow through. Jovan Dhariwal (37 not out) though was playing well in a knock lasting 83 balls and he and Moors put on 42 runs for the fifth wicket. Gareth Berg (1) was then out to a caught and bowled by Ashley Neal (2-29) after a full-blooded hit. Asad Abbas (24) again batting at number nine was then involved in the highest partnership of the game (43 runs) for the second week running. However, Matt Donaldson (3-29) then polished off the tail as three wickets fell for just two runs

This coming Saturday Lymington are at home to league leaders South Wilts with a 12.30 start. Lymington need to up their game if they are to finish the season in the top half of the table.