SPL Premier Division cricket: Ryan Scott hits 100 as Lymington hammer Havant
Southern Premier League: Premier Division
Havant CC 116
Lymington CC 283
LYMINGTON overwhelmed the opposition for the second game running, winning by 167 runs as Havant were skittled by a penetrative bowling attack.
The game finished in bizarre fashion as Havant’s number 10 was forced to retire after being hit twice on the helmet, with an earlier retiree unable to return after injuring his hand.
A century from Ryan Scott ensured Lymington had a formidable total to bowl at, with Northants player Gareth Berg showing his commitment to the Lymington cause with both batting and bowling. Northants' loss is Lymington’s gain given his recent form.
Lymington captain Terry Crabb won the toss and elected to bat, with Havant Park looking like an oasis of a brown dry outfield and a green square.
Conditions were inevitably challenging for the fielders, given both the hard and fast outfield.
Opener Crabb (14) was out early to Ben Walker (1-45) while fellow opener Ben Rogers (31) played a more patient knock before he was stumped by keeper George Metzger off slow-bowler Richard Hindley (1-58).
By then Lymington had slipped to 61-3 before Ryan Scott was joined by Kamran Dhariwal (53), who was again in attacking mode with nine fours, as the pair put on 78 for the fourth wicket.
Then Scott (100) in a masterful innings and Berg (61) put on 118 runs for the fifth wicket in just 23 overs, with the game running away from Havant.
The Lymington total might have been even more formidable had it not been for a late-order collapse. The last five wickets fell for just 18 runs with left-handed spinner Freddie Gadd (4-81) leading the way, helped by Christopher Stone (2-27)
Havant struggled from the start and were soon 34-3 after another bowling masterclass from Berg (4-13 in 10.4 overs) in taking all three.
Harry Gadd (34) did his best to stabilise the innings and with Charlie Whitfield (18 retired not out) put on 65 for the fourth wicket before Whitfield had to come off after being hit on the hand.
A batting collapse then followed as five wickets fell for just 39 runs, with off-spinner Dan Cox (3-33) difficult to handle.
The innings finally subsided when usual third XI player Julian Atkins was hit twice on the helmet by Berg in an uneven encounter. Protocols required he be assessed, and after being hit the second time he came off looking shaken. After some discussion the game ended.
This weekend fifth-placed Lymington are at home to Burridge who are fighting for their lives at the bottom end of the table. The 50-over fixture starts at 12.30pm.
