Southern Premier League cricket: Lymington beat Havant

Southern Premier League

Havant I 119

Lymington I 121-4

Lymington finally got themselves out of a hole and off the bottom of the table after this vital win at Havant, and it was a captain’s performance from Ben Rogers in more ways than one - but especially his batting (73).

It had been a soul-searching week for the club after two dismal batting performances with heavy defeats, but a great team effort ended things well.

Given the damp wicket and delay, Rogers got Lymington off to the best of starts by winning the toss and inevitably putting the opposition into bat on a damp, unpredictable wicket that was also taking spin.

The Lymington bowlers took a tight grip on the Havant innings from the start, with wickets falling steadily.

Opening bowler Lewis Martin was soon among the wickets taking 2-12 in an aggressive spell while fellow opener Gareth Berg (0-12 from eight overs) was again proving difficult to get away while also supporting Rogers with team tactics.

Josh Royan (2-17) fresh from playing for Dorset in the National Counties Championship helped dismiss the middle order.

Father-and-son Asad Abbas (2-28) and Monam Abbas (2-18), bowling for the first time in tandem for Lymington then took over with their left-arm spin.

Monam took the wicket of dangerman Harry Gadd (20), caught by Ryan Scott.

Dan Cox (2-23) finished off the Havant innings having Kai Ziemkendorf, who top scored with 21, caught by Kam Dhariwal.

In reply Rogers opened the batting with a positive performance, after being unable to buy a run in previous innings.

Riding his luck at times, he played a raft of unorthodox shots in his 73-run knock.

Lymington did not get off to the best of starts despite the modest target, as spinner Chris Morgan (3-30) soon got among the wickets having Monam Abbas (0) caught and Ryan Scott (5) stumped by keeper George Metzger, with Lymington at one stage on 24-2.

This brought in Jovan Dhariwal (25) for an 81-run partnership with Rogers that lasted less than 17 overs, the pair almost seeing the side home until Rogers was bowled by Richard Hindley (1-26). It was left to Kam Dhariwal (9 not out) to hit the winning four with 24 overs to spare and relief to all the players and supporters.

The win moved Lymington up three places in the table but it remains tight at the bottom.

This Saturday Lymington – who need one win from the last two games to ensure their future in the division – are at home to fellow relegation strugglers Alton with a 12.30pm start.