LIPHOOK & Ripsley have the chance to reach Lord’s in a cup final, but they are also facing the threat of relegation as their league form dips.

They remain second from bottom in the Southern Premier League Division One after losing for the seventh time this season. However, they were unlucky to come up against Andover opener Asher Hart, a contracted Hampshire player, in superlative form.

Hart struck a blistering, chanceless 161 off 148 balls, including 22 fours and two sixes. But Liphook, having chosen to field first at London Road, bowled really well at the other batsmen and George Neave and Suman Ganguly reduced the home side to 22-3.

At 92-4, Charlie Ayers joined Hart in a stand of 85 and then skipper Matt Hooper helped the opener add a further 56. Ganguly (4-43) cut through the tail and Neave finally got Hart, but the damage was done and Liphook were set 273 for victory.

They never got close. Aidan Jansen removed the openers with 28 runs scored and when he bowled potential match-winner Ganguly, Liphook were 37-3.

Neave – top scorer with 39 – again batted well, but Liphook were floundering at 95-8 and it was only a defiant effort by Sean Burton and the tailenders that got the visitors up to a more respectable 143.

True, Liphook were missing prolific run-scorers Ryan Covey and Harry Munt, but their batting must improve quickly if they are to turn their fortunes around. They entertain OTs & Romsey in a vital relegation scrap this Saturday.

By contrast, Liphook have enjoyed their best campaign to date in the National Village Cup and if they win their semi- final at Sussex club Mayfield on Sunday, they will be through to the final at Lord’s on September 16.

Liphook know they face tough opponents in the Sussex League Division Two leaders who knocked Rowledge out in the sixth round.

“May the best team win,” said Liphook captain Charles Janczur. “We are pretty much at full strength, with all our key players turning out and ten from the winning quarter-final team. We all believe this will prove our sternest test by far.”

One absentee will be Giles Cover who broke his hand last weekend. Ryan Covey and Harry Munt return to the side and Suman Ganguly will be a key player with both bat and ball. Liphook have a veritable battery of seamers – Ganguly, Janczur and Sean Burton, plus the extra pace of the sometimes wayward George Neave, backed up by Covey and the somewhat slower Dave Elliott.

“We have a coach leaving early on Sunday morning and a large number of people are going direct, so the travelling support should be strong,” said Janczur. “Mayfield have been really active promoting the game on social media. There will hopefully be a large crowd enjoying a fantastic day of cricket.”

Liphook team to play Mayfield: Ryan Covey, Rob Nicklin, Harry Munt, Suman Ganguly, George Neave, Richard Williams, Jonny Pryce, Jamie Hall, Sean Burton, Charles Janczur, Dave Elliott.