LIPHOOK & Ripsley, after last week’s notable win against Basingstoke, failed to get enough runs to seriously extend second-placed Bournemouth at Chapel Gate.

Charles Janczur, returning from injury, gave his batsmen a vote of confidence after winning the toss and the visitors made a promising start as Ryan Covey and Rob Nicklin shared a half-century opening partnership.

But things changed when Dom Clutterbuck joined the attack.

The left-arm spinner broke the stand at 53 and put a sharp brake on the run-rate with 2-16 off his 10 overs.

Clutterbuck also claimed the vital scalp of Suman Ganguly and when he ran out Mainak Ray, last week’s batting hero, Liphook were 88-5 and struggling to bat out their overs.

Gabe Broadhurst and Richard Covey knuckled down to add 40 and the patient Broadhurst and George Neave added a further 33 for the eighth wicket before the former went for 33 and Liphook managed 170 all out in the final over.

Bournemouth found it equally hard going against Ganguly and Ryan Covey, and then Janczur and Nicklin.

But number 3 Luke Matthews emerged as the match-winner by batting 40 overs for a disciplined 61. His application was perhaps the difference between the sides.

At 91-4, Liphook were still in the game, but Matthews was joined by Martin Miller in a partnership of 56 which effectively decided the result.

They eventually fell to Ryan Covey and Ganguly respectively, leaving Matt Jones to steer Bournemouth home by four wickets with four overs to spare.

Liphook host lowly Tichborne Park this Saturday. On Sunday, Liphook have a Village Cup date with Sparsholt at Ripsley Park.