Liphook suffered the heartbreak of defeat by one run at Calmore Sports on Saturday and slipped to the bottom of the league.

Alastair Gray and skipper Duncan Berry led their side into a winning position, but the challenge faltered in a spate of run-outs and the task of scoring five runs from the last over with two wickets in hand, proved too much for the visitors.

The Southampton team had batted first and struggled to 171-9 from their 50 overs. Tom Pegler and Clive Surrey established the innings with an opening partnership of 55.

Later, James Hibberd and Mark Boston added 60 in 17 overs for the sixth wicket – a crucial stand after Calmore had slipped to 82-5.

The good news from the bowling department was spinner Alan Crawford's first wicket in 301 days, and then, just like a London bus, another one followed straight behind. He collected 2 for 16 from his 10 overs, while Tim Wheatley conceded only 17 runs from his 10 overs.

Graeme Tyler, having a long bowl for a change, claimed 3 for 36, while Matt Eaton continued his good form, also taking three.

Liphook, in reply, slumped to 28 for 4 against the bowling of Christof Bothma and Matt Metcalfe.

But Gray continued his fine form from the previous weekend, compiling a fine 60. He and Ollie Martin added 40 for the fifth wicket.

Then Gray and Berry put on 68 in 15 overs for the sixth wicket, putting Liphook in an excellent position.

But the South African fell to Metcalfe and Berry was one of three batsmen to be run out as Liphook stalled in the final push for victory.

With two balls left and Liphook needing two runs to win, Allan Hurst bowled the unlucky Wheatley, leaving Calmore to celebrate their first victory of the season.

calmore

T Pegler c Riley b Crawford 40

C Surrey c Riley b Crawford 11

J Goode c Berry b Eaton 0

J Hibberd not out 41

P Cass c Riley b Eaton 5

D Rouse c Crawford b Eaton 1

M Boston c Riley b Tyler 30

S Clark b Tyler 5

M Metcalfe b Wheatley 3

C Bothma b Tyler 3

Extras 32

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Total (for 9 wkts) 171

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Bowling: T Wheatley 1-17, M Eaton 3-35, A Crawford 2-16, G Tyler 3-36.

liphook

S Riley b Bothma 1

C Wright c Pegler b Metcalfe 8

N Randall c Metcalfe b Bothma 4

A Gray c Pegler b Metcalfe 60

G Tyler c Pegler b Metcalfe 0

O Martin c Pegler b Cass 13

D Berry run out 37

P Woodland run out 4

T Wheatley b Hurst 9

A Crawford run out 3

M Eaton not out 1

Extras 30

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Total 170

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Bowling: C Bothma 2-18, A Hurst 1-31, M Metcalfe 3-33, P Cass 1-31.