LIPHOOK & Ripsley recorded a confidence-boosting first league win of the season, beating a strong St Cross Symondians 2nd XI by five wickets at Winchester.
St Cross decided to bat and openers Alan Whitman and James Burridge gave them a sound start with a stand of 47 before both fell to first-change bowler Dave Elliot.
Liphook were not at their best in the field and dropped a number of catches, letting the hosts off the hook and allowing them to reach a decent total of 175-6 off the 50 overs.
Alex Fidgen batted well for St Cross, reaching his 50 off the last ball of the innings, while off-spinner Alan Crawford was again the pick of the Liphook bowlers with 2-23 off 10 overs, while Elliott returned an excellent 2-24 off his 10.
Liphook, needing to score at 3.5 per over, started brightly and the first wicket put on 37 before Tom Hughes-Stanton was bowled by Richard Boote.
Some tight St Cross bowling then slowed the run-rate right down and it became clear that Liphook had a tough task on their hands.
At 78-4, with the top order gone – including the returning Tom Cledwyn – the game was in the balance.
It was skipper Richard Williams and the in-form Jonny Pryce who swung it Liphook's way with some controlled, yet aggressive batting.
The pair put on 53 in quick time before Pryce was caught.
Williams was in full control now and it fell to Sean Burton to strike the winning runs with four overs to spare. Williams finished 40 not out – a true captain's innings.
Liphook will aim to build on this welcome victory when they entertain Paultons at Ripsley Park this Saturday.