LIPHOOK & Ripsley suffered their first defeat of the season in the Southern Premier League Division One, but will feel they should really have extended their winning run.

They seemed to have done all the hard work in containing Calmore Sports to 182-8 at Ripsley Park, only to throw the game away from a strong position due to a lack of application in their batting.

Liphook were missing skipper and seamer Charles Janczur, who tore a hamstring at Hook & Newnham the week before, but the other bowlers stepped up to the mark, notably George Neave, Ryan Covey (1-13 in 10 overs) and Suman Ganguly, while Rob Nicklin bowled nine tight overs and 17-year-old Aiden Grimes, on his first-team debut, conceded just 17 runs from six overs.

However, Ben Johns, Ben Perry and Jack Rutter, top scorer with 51 not out, shored up the middle order and Calmore recovered to post a decent total.

Liphook began badly, losing both openers cheaply, and when Gabe Broadhurst followed and then Mainak Ray was run out, the home team were in deep trouble.

Ganguly and Grant Rouse staged a fine recovery and their confident partnership should have paved the way for victory.

But both got out at vital times, Ganguly having made an excellent 60, and the late order failed in disappointing fashion against a not very formidable attack.

In the end, Liphook fell short by 21 runs and they will need to raise their game significantly for the visit to undefeated Basingstoke this Saturday.

On Sunday, Liphook travel to Tichborne Park in the third round of the National Village Cup.