A COMMANDING man-of-the-match innings of 93 from 84 balls by Harry Munt was the chief reason for Liphook & Ripsley’s nail-biting four-run win over unbeaten Bournemouth at Chapel Gate.

Openers Ryan Covey and Rob Nicklin gave Liphook a sound start after Charles Janczur had opted to bat first in the Southern Premier League Division One game, but when Munt came to the middle at 40-1, the visitors had already used up 18 overs.

He played a truly outstanding knock, taking the attack to Bournemouth’s experienced bowlers and dispatching them to all parts of the ground.

Munt’s destructive hitting gave the innings momentum, but his timing was equally impressive as he manipulated the field with innovative strokes against spin and seam.

Rob Pack and Ed Denham shared five wickets, but were unable to stem the flow of runs. Nicklin reached a disciplined 50 during a partnership of 66 and with further support down the order, Munt saw the score past 200 before he was sixth man out.

The visitors added 128 in a free-flowing final 14 overs and closed on 234-6.

Quick bowler George Neave dismissed Bournemouth’s Tom West and Simon Woodruff within four overs to give Liphook the perfect start. But the hosts were far from finished as the Park brothers, Nick and skipper Chris, shared a patient stand of 68.

Nick Park made 71 and then a fast-scoring partnership of 69 between Jake Hurley and Martin Miller set up the tight finish.

Bournemouth, requiring 18 from 15 balls with four wickets intact, looked set for victory until Covey made the crucial breakthrough, bowling Hurley with a superb yorker in the 48th over.

A tight 49th from seamer Jack Campbell left the home side needing 11 off the last six balls.

The ever-reliable Covey executed the perfect last over and successive yorkers left Bournemouth needing a six off the final ball. Miller only managed a single and they finished agonisingly short on 230-7.

Liphook host Andover this Saturday and then travel to Bramshaw on Sunday in the third round of the National Village Cup.