Liphook & Ripsley made it two wins on the bounce as they beat Portsmouth & Southsea by two wickets at Ripsley Park on Saturday in Division Two of the Southern Premier Cricket League.

Another important toss was won by Liphook captain Sean Burton, who elected to field with grey skies overhead and a damp wicket.

Opening bowlers George Neave and Charles Janczur started well, causing problems for the batters, and it wasn’t long before Janczur made an early breakthrough. Janczur took the first three wickets as he bowled his ten overs straight through, ending with figures of three for 28.

With the visitors struggling at 42 for three, a fourth-wicket partnership of 75 between Jack Davies (25) and Alex Davidson (40) gave the momentum back to Portsmouth & Southsea.

The introduction of spin would be their downfall – Andy Barnes and Oscar Amis wreaked havoc as 117 for three became 144 for nine.

Both spinners claimed three wickets each and bowled superbly through the middle overs to put Liphook in the driving seat.

Liphook were hopeful it would be only a matter of time before claiming the final wicket, but a blitz from Portsmouth & Southsea number 11 Jonathan Willey (30 not out) crashed the ball to all parts, and with help from captain Ben Saunders (21), a respectable score of 198 was posted.

Saunders was bowled by Burton with the last ball of the innings as Liphook claimed maximum bowling points.

Liphook’s reply started well as openers Ryan Covey and Rob Nicklin set about chasing down the runs. The pair put on 38 before Nicklin (eight) was dismissed by left-arm seamer Willey. The introduction of spinner Saunders (three for 23) turned the game on its head with some superb spin bowling. Covey (25) and Amis soon followed and Liphook were struggling at 42 for three.

Another two wickets fell before Liphook made it to three figures and it looked like the hosts had a mountain to climb.

Joe Farndale (32) and Neave steadied the ship but Farndale was next to go with the home side still needing 90 runs.

At 114 for seven George Worman walked out to the middle.

Worman and Neave played superbly, taking many quick singles to keep the scoreboard ticking over and pouncing on the loose balls as well.

The pair put on a valuable 53-run partnership and Liphook were nearly there.

Rain started to fall, and with a brief delay Liphook needed a revised target of 193 off 47 overs. Worman fell for a well-played 30 off just 21 balls, and it was left to Burton and Neave (39 not out) to get Liphook home.

The winning runs came in the 44th over and were met by jubilant celebrations up on the bank by the home side.

Another excellent win for Liphook, who will take momentum into this Saturday’s match at home to league leaders Waterlooville.