Lymo make it five out of five

Lymington 138 for 8 - Cadnam 79 for 8

Despite recent batting disasters in the league, Lymington travelled to Langley Manor for their Presidents Cup final encounter with Cadnam in confident mood. After all, they had been victorious in all four of their previous appearances in the final, and had beaten fellow Southern Premier League sides Calmore and Bashley on their way to the 2005 final.

However, that confidence rapidly evaporated as Bryn Derbyshire, Martin Hunt, Simon King and Simon Mayes all departed with just 22 runs on the board. Pete Smith opted to face the crisis head-on and duly smashed his first ball straight back over the bowler's head. The pivotal moment of the match came soon after when Smith's rasping drive was spilled on the boundary by the fielder at long off. And how the Hampshire League side were made to pay as the rampant Aussie went on to bludgeon 27 runs in one over (including 3 lost balls!) off the unfortunate Maqsood, before finally falling for a blistering 52 in the ninth over. Such was Smith's domination of the crease, that when he was dismissed Lymington were still floundering somewhat on 68 for 5. Christian Pain (40) and Neil Trestrail (25) set about the task of building a defendable total, and this they did admirably with a quality stand of 64. Lymington's final total of 138 for 8 would have been even higher but for a superb last over from the New Zealander Michael Pinney who conceded just one run and took two wickets.

A poor start by Lymo

Marty Hunt out!

Pete launches one

Now Tres careful with this one

Lymo supporters

Lymington President Brian Hobby talks about old times with NFCCA
President Vic Loveless

Two stalwarts of New Forest cricket: Vic Loveless and Chris Walford

Cadnam's best chance of winning the match rested firmly on the shoulders of the talented Pinney, so when he was bowled by Trevor Phillips in the fourth over with the score on 15, it was always likely to an uphill struggle for the plucky Hants Division Three side. Paul Jewar and the in-form Darren Vann tried to regain the initiative, but the expected onslaught never materialised and Cadnam's innings simply ground to a halt as wickets fell at regular intervals. Jewar batted through for a gritty 34, while Pain (3 for 15) and Smith (2 for 4) fought out their own private man-of-the-match duel as Cadnam eventually closed on 79 for 8, giving Lymington a handsome 49 run victory.

Bald seamer aka Trevor indulges in a bit of ball rubbing before he bowls Pinney

Christian gives the batsman the eye

Take that

Tom Myatt bowls a tight spell

Following the match Adie Hunt collected the trophy from New Forest President Vic Loveless, while ex-Lymingtonian Chris Walford selected Pete Smith as his man-of-the-match. The Lymington skipper was clearly delighted to have picked up his first piece of silverware, and was heartened by the way that his side had recovered after another disastrous batting collapse. It was the type of fighting spirit that Lymo will be desperately looking for in the weeks ahead of they are to avoid the dreaded drop from SPL Division Two.

Winners and losers

This ones mine

Winning team

Where you going with that cup Tickle

Photos by John McGuirk

TP