LIPHOOK & Ripsley seemed to have done all the hard work after dismissing Basingstoke & North Hants for 151 at May’s Bounty.

But again, Liphook’s batsmen lacked the patient approach and too many loose shots were played as they succumbed to a disappointing 19-run defeat in the Southern Premier League Division One.

Happy to win the toss, Harry Munt inserted Basingstoke in on a green, damp wicket. Dan Belcher played a disciplined innings of 32 in testing conditions, but the bowlers used the wicket well, particularly Sean Burton who was extremely difficult to get away and at 83-6, Liphook were well on top.

However, Chris Jolley came in late, played his shots, and gave the innings impetus with his counter-attacking 54 off 48 balls, including nine boundaries.

In the end, Basingstoke mustered 151 all out and that was probably around par if not slightly below as the pitch got better as the day went on.

Liphook had ample time to get the runs, but several batsmen were caught in the ring without taking responsibility and, at 58-5, their hopes lay with Suman Ganguly and Dan Wrenn.

This key pair added 39 before Wrenn was caught off Jolley.

The pressure was on Ganguly to steer Liphook home, but at 108 he also fell to Jolley for 43 and the end was in sight.

The visitors were bowled out for 132 with 14 overs going to waste. In fairness, Liphook were up against a strong attack, including former Hampshire off-spinner Mitch Stokes who dismissed both openers and finished with 3-40 in ten overs.

This Saturday, the strong Sarisbury side visit Liphook who will be missing several regulars.