FORMER Headley pace bowler George Neave has moved to Liphook & Ripsley who begin their Southern Premier League Division One season this Saturday with a home match against Andover.

Neave, also a hard-hitting batsman, played for Surrey U17s last season and is likely to be the quickest bowler in Liphook’s attack, judging by the way he has been sending stumps flying and forcing batsmen to back away in nets.

Another notable newcomer is Dan Wrenn, previously of Liss and more recently Hartley Wintney. Another all-rounder, capable of turning games single-handedly, he will be batting at 6 and bowling through the middle overs.

On the down side, Liphook have lost spinner Elliot Hawkins who is currently in Australia, having played grade cricket in Perth. He is the only outgoing player and Liphook have also given up on enticing Ryan Covey back from Sarisbury Athletic who have been relegated after one season in the Premier Division.

Harry Munt continues to lead Liphook who had an excellent season in 2015, finishing fourth in Division?One.

In their final warm-up game, Liphook had a useful work-out against Premier Division side Alton, the visitors winning by 47 runs at Ripsley Park.

Scott Myers chose to bat first and the skipper led from the front, top-scoring with 58 as Alton amassed 220 all out in 44 overs. Mark Heffernan (48) joined him in a fifth-wicket partnership of 105, while Dan Wrenn marked his Liphook debut by taking 5-35 in nine overs. Spinner Dave Elliott broke the century stand and went on to claim 3-14 in seven overs.

Liphook were 100-2 at one stage, but five of the top six perished in the 20s (Broadhurst 29, Nicklin 22, Wrenn 27, Munt 28, Neave 25, including 3 sixes) and the late order collapsed.

Jack Myers (3-31), Tom Paul (3-45) and Dan Hutton (2-29) did the damage as Liphook subsided to 173 all out in the 38th over.