LIPHOOK duly dispatched a poor Tichborne Park side on Saturday, but the four-wicket margin of victory in a low-scoring game somewhat disappointed Charles Janczur.

“The wicket was a bit two-paced, but certainly not dodgy, and we should have chased it for no wickets to be honest,” said the Liphook captain. “There was some questionable shot selection by our batsmen, but it’s onto Ventnor and a T20 game next weekend.”

Liphook, after winning the toss, reduced Tichborne, who prop up the Southern Premier League Division One, to 6-3 after only four overs to take control of the match at Ripsley Park.

The damage was done by Ryan Covey who dismissed two of the top three, courtesy of Suman Ganguly who held two fine slip catches. Ganguly took the other wicket himself, having George Ayling caught behind by Richard Covey.

The keeper went on to bag four catches, one off Harry Munt, also known to keep wicket, who dismissed Prad Gunaratne, the only Tichborne batsman to get going, for 39.

Tichborne slumped to 109 all out. Janczur took 2-25 from nine tight overs and Andy Barnes snapped up 2-5 in 15 balls with some accurate spin. They were his first SPL wickets and he also impressed in the field.

It was not exactly plain sailing for Liphook when they replied. Mike Court bowled openers Ryan Covey and Rob Nicklin with only 28 runs scored and the probing spin of Gunaratne and some indifferent strokes left the home side struggling at 65-5. Tichborne’s spirits had definitely revived and the match was in the balance.

However, Gabe Broadhurst, as usual, remained vigilant and his partnership of 39 with the aggressive Munt settled the issue.

Munt hit 28 off 32 balls before being caught off Gunaratne, but only six runs were now required and Jonny Pryce came in to hit the winning boundary.

• Liphook cross the water to Ventnor this Saturday. The frenetic action of the SPL T20 Cup comes to Ripsley Park on Sunday when Liphook host Purbrook in the first round (4pm start).