LIPHOOK & Ripsley gave a professional performance to beat Tichborne Park who prop up the Southern Premier League Division One.

Liphook showed character to recover strongly after being inserted on a green top and slumping to 16-3 after 10 overs, following a fine opening spell by Hector Donn who plucked out the top three.

Thereafter, Suman Ganguly and Grant Rouse applied themselves and rebuilt the innings with a vital partnership of 98.

Rouse (34) then got a good yorker from Will Allam, while Ganguly – back to his best – reached 77 off 76 balls before being adjudged lbw to Will Allam.

Mainak Ray and George Neave consolidated and Liphook totalled 215-7 in their 50 overs – a score they were confident of defending.

And so it proved. Tichborne came out aggressively and opener George Ayling was severe on Charles Janczur.

But the Liphook skipper got his man and dismissed three of the first five batsmen. The prolific Tom Allam fell to a one-handed catch by Rob Nicklin and the home side were on the back foot at 44-4.

Tichborne never threatened the target and Neave and Dave Elliott bowled fine spells to close out the game, spinner Elliott taking four wickets and conceding a miserly 13 runs in 10 overs.

Liphook’s fielding was excellent and all catches were held. Liphook are home to Isle of Wight side Ventnor this week and another good performance will guarantee safety.