Side Batting First: Verwood 180 for 7
Side Batting Second: Lymington 179 for 6
With the last ball about to be bowled, the match was still very much in the balance with Lymington needing three to win and two to tie. Before this ball the match had ebbed and flowed with neither side showing the cutting edge to take control - perhaps not surprising from the bottom two teams without a win between them. The day had started in light drizzle, and Luigi Di Maria exploited the conditions to be at his parsimonious best, conceding only 9 runs off his 12 overs, including 9 maidens. Unfortunately this economy could not be maintained at the other end although the other bowlers, all Under 15 Colts, perhaps deserved better. Dropped catches did not aid the Lymington cause and despite the success of Will Thorp (3-49) the fielding took on a slightly bedraggled look, especially in the closing overs.

Lymington made steady progress in the opening overs with all the top order making a start. At the half way stage the home side were well placed to make the most of wickets in hand, being 75-1 after 20 overs. The dismissal of Mark Gannaway (72) focused attention on the lower order, with Luigi Di Maria (25) and Will Thorp (27no) edging Lymington ever closer. A wicket in the last over brought Elliott Lindsay-Wood to the crease with six needed off the last two balls. He struck a three off the only ball he was to face. And so to the last ball, with the fate of the game balancing on the bat of Will Thorp. A good final ball was dug out for a single, to leave Lymington one run short of their target and still looking for that elusive first victory.

Mark Gannaway