LIPHOOK avenged another early-season defeat with victory over Basingstoke at May’s Bounty last Saturday.

Liphook were finally back with a full-strength team and it made a huge difference as they narrowly saw off the home side by 21 runs.

It was an excellent game, played in a good spirit. Par score was probably around 220 on a decent track, but Liphook bowled and fielded impressively and showed real character when things were going against them.

Electing to bat on a dry wicket which nevertheless turned and occasionally bounced, Liphook looked to score well in excess of 200 and seemed on course as the top four, Rob Nicklin, Chris Martin, Giles Cover and Suman Ganguly all made runs, featuring in useful stands of 48, 38 and 46, Cover leading the way with a disciplined 51.

However, Basingstoke had their usual trump card in the shape of Mitch Stokes. The former Hampshire off-spinner took 5 for 33 in nine overs and Liphook, from being 150-4, slipped to 196 all out, with four overs going to waste.

Grant Rouse and Luke Lee-Nutbrown chipped in with valuable runs, but Liphook’s often effective tail failed to wag.

However, Suman Ganguly bowled Craig Williamson in the first over of Basingstoke’s reply, and it was game on.

Despite an impressive 59 from Stokes, coming in at number four, Liphook gradually took control, with Sean Burton and skipper Harry Munt bowling key spells.

When Munt caught and bowled Stokes, Basingstoke were 132-6 and the game was still in the balance.

But Liphook’s outstanding work in the field gave them the edge and Burton whipped out the tail to leave Basingstoke all out for 174 in the 47th over.

Liphook, nearly up to mid-table, host league leaders New Milton at Ripsley Park this Saturday.