Superb six-wicket haul from Lymington's Dan Cox tears through Hampshire Academy
Southern Premier League Premier Division
Hampshire Academy CC 109
Lymington CC 111-4
A SUPERB all-round display from Lymington, inspired by a magnificent six-wicket haul for Dan Cox, secured a resounding victory over Hampshire Academy at Lymington Sports Ground.
Hampshire Academy were already in trouble at 70-4 before an extraordinary six wickets for just 15 runs from Cox tore apart the visitors' middle order and tail-enders.
In a rain-shortened game that was reduced to 32 overs, Lymington captain Matt Metcalfe won the toss and inevitably elected to field given the damp conditions with a new ball.
The hosts made a blistering start, reducing Hampshire Academy to 21-3, a position from which they never recovered. Both openers, Charlie Mumford (5) and Wilf La Fontaine Jackson (2), fell to Metcalfe (2-18), either side of James Wade (1-16) bowling Jo Eckland (6).
Harry Broderick (23) and James Barker (8) attempted to rebuild the innings, adding 31 runs for the fourth wicket, before Ximus du Plooy (1-33) had Broderick caught by Cox to leave Academy on 52-4.
At this stage, spinner Cox took control, doing real damage with a remarkable 6-15 in 6.5 overs, the best performance in the Premier Division so far this season.
The poor shot selection did not help the Academy cause, and only Louis Prichard (18) offered any resistance during an injury-interrupted innings before he was out in the 31st over.
The next three wickets earned only four runs as Ryan Scott took two catches interceded by a Terry Crabb catch, all off the bowling of Cox to leave the hosts at 74-7.
Youngster Cox then mopped up the tail, bowling Pritchard (18) and Josh Croom (3) while catching Kamran Khanna (6) LBW. James Wade and Dan Cox are now the joint-leading wicket-takers (12) for Lymington.
A shortage of wicketkeepers saw Ben Rogers behind the timbers for the first time in many years, with only eight byes conceded.
With 109 to catch, Lymington also got off to a poor start and found themselves 7-2 as paceman Josh Croom (2-21) proved challenging to handle, bowling Rogers (1) and Ryan Scott (2).
Their misfortune brought overseas player Du Plooy (58 not out) to the crease with opener Crabb (17), with the former claiming a half-century for the second week running. His patient knock, 58 not out in 76 balls, included three fours and two sixes in challenging conditions.
South African Du Plooy and Dan Cox, who scored 24 runs, including two fours, put on 56 runs for the fourth wicket in 14.3 overs with a disciplined batting performance. However, a run-out by James Trodd ended Cox's involvement before Du Plooy and Dominic Hand (1 not out) saw Lymington across the line in the 29th over.
The six-wicket win continues Lymington's spectacular return to form, winning their last three after a four-game losing streak. They will hope to maintain their form at home against Burridge CC on Saturday at 11.30am.
