VILLAGE Cup finalists Liphook & Ripsley face the stark prospect of relegation from the Southern Premier League Division One after losing to basement side Hartley Wintney on Saturday.

Liphook can still catch third-from-bottom Andover, but need to win both their remaining fixtures against top-four opponents – home to Ventnor this Saturday and Portsmouth away on September 1.

Andover also have two testing games: Sarisbury at home and Hook & Newnham away.

Hartley Wintney belied their lowly position by racking up 310-7 in their 50 overs, this after Suman Ganguly and Ryan Covey (3-41) had reduced them to 69-5.

It was captain Will Kerr (77) and Ben Hyde who staged a remarkable fightback with a stand of 135.

Hyde missed his century by just two runs, but further punishment from Jamie Teale (43 not out) and Ben Earney saw up the 300.

Liphook began badly against Earney (4-37 in 10 overs), but a hurricane 75 off 44 balls by Suman Ganguly gave them a chance and then Jonny Pryce (44) and Chris Martin took up the challenge with a partnership of 71 for the seventh wicket.

However, the target was too distant and after two late wickets for Dave Wrenn, Martin was last man out for a valiant 57, caught off Hyde in the final over.

Liphook were all out for 278, still 32 runs behind. Eight points that could prove vital, though.