SPL Premier Division cricket: Lymington CC youngsters hammer Totton & Eling

SPL Premier Division
Lymington CC 231
Totton & Eling CC 97

LYMINGTON overwhelmed local rivals Totton & Eling in a one-sided game after the Totton batters failed to hit their usual heights in a 134-run defeat.

Jovan Dhariwal (111) led the way for the hosts as spinner Dan Cox (5-42) tore through the Totton tail with old stagers Terry Crabb (53) and Northants player Gareth Berg (3-19) backing them up superbly.

The game also saw three players, Dhariwal, Josh Royan and Sam Beer, who played in the Varsity Match at Lord's earlier in the month.

Birthday boy and Lymington captain Crabb won the toss for a change and inevitably decided to bat on a dry wicket. However, it was Totton's opening fast bowlers who nearly made Crabb regret the decision as Lymington slumped to 29-4 with Sam Beer (3-28) tearing the heart out of the Lymington top order of Ben Rogers (0), Ryan Scott (13) and Gareth Berg (1).

He was well backed up by West Indian overseas player Jaidel Richardson who ended up with 5-35. However, opener Crabb played a more patient knock than usual and, riding his luck, found a solid partner in Dhariwal as they put on 94 for the fifth wicket before Crabb was bowled by Harry Stephens (2-65).

The game turned even further in Lymington's favour as Dhariwal was joined by Dan Cox (14) as they put on 97 for the seventh wicket. By then, Dhariwal was in attacking mode and celebrated his hundred from 153 balls with a four – this in an innings which included 14 fours and one six. But then Richardson, with his pace, finished off the Lymington innings taking four wickets, including three in four balls.

Totton & Eling got off to an equally poor start and were soon 24-4 as Gareth Berg (3-19) tore into the batting line-up. Owen Morris (47 not out), batting at number four, did his best to hold the innings together but with little support, with only Archie Pascoe (13) and Josh Kentigern-Fox (15) reaching double figures.

The 10th-wicket partnership of 29 runs was the highest of the innings as Dan Cox, with his off-breaks, took the heart out of the middle and late-order batting, including three wickets in five balls.

Kieran Moors (1-4) finished off the Totton innings with James Hartshorn (1-29).

Both sides are back in action on Saturday in timed games at 11am, with Lymington visiting Havant and Totton & Eling hosting Hook & Newnham Basics.