Following a few defeats, St. Mary’s went into the match with Liphook with a weak team.  Winning the toss Keith Waldock chose to bowl first, mainly because the bowling was less weak than the batting.  Dan Vickery and Phil Whitfield opened the bowling with Dan claiming the wicket of prolific scorer Strong in the first over and very nearly picking up the number 3 Oliver.  But a series of bad balls allowed Liphook to get away to a flyer from which St. Mary’s bowling never managed to recover.  This was allied to perhaps the worst fielding performance by St. Mary’s in its league history.  A number of catches were put down and the fielding is best described as lethargic.  In the end it was a relief to get off the pitch by which time Liphook had scored 248 for 4.

In reply the weak batting line-up needed a good start from on form Tom Lee.  But Tom was perhaps a little unlucky to be given out LBW off a ball that he had a faint nick on.  From then it was attrition from the St. Mary’s batting that saw them to 126 for 9 with Stuart Macnaghten excelling with 40 not out.  Ali Kanjee had a brisk innings of 18 with a magnificent straight 6.  By batting through at least St. Mary’s could claim a small moral victory to take into the rest of the season.

The highlight of a miserable performance was the lovely pub after with a full team turnout for the fine session.

Wally of the day: Keith Waldock who in trying to flick a ball back to Andy Mansbridge succeeded in kicking the ball over the boundary.
Champagne moment: Ali Kanjee for his massive 6.
Man of the match: Stuart Macnaghten for his 40 not out.