A WEAKENED Liphook & Ripsley lost heavily at home to Portsmouth in the Southern Premier League Division One.

Already missing key all-rounder Ryan Covey, Liphook lost another player to illness and fielded just 10 men. Even allowing for these setbacks, Liphook were poor and deserved nothing from the game. “One to write off and forget,” said skipper Charles Janczur.

Portsmouth were also under-strength, but that didn’t stop them amassing 240-9 in their 50 overs. It should have been a lot less because Liphook had them at 74-4 and then 91-5.

Number 7 Pradeepp Bains led the recovery with a patient 73, sharing 50 partnerships with James Christian and Andrew Marston (40 not out). Janczur and Sean Burton both took three wickets, but could not prevent the visitors posting a challenging total.

The home side suffered a similar top-order collapse, but, unlike with Portsmouth, there was no real recovery after they had slumped to 74-5.

Only Grant Rouse did himself justice with 38 and Liphook were already on course for defeat when left-arm spinner Marston proceeded to run through the home batting with an outstanding 5-37 in 10 overs. Liphook were bowled out for 130 in 33 overs.