WITH nine of their players attending a wedding the night before, Liphook predictably found their trip to the Isle of Wight a struggle on Saturday and lost to Ventnor by four wickets.

Even so, it was a close contest and Neil Westhorpe’s fine 65 for Ventnor, who have been struggling in the Southern Premier League Division One, was probably the difference between the sides.

Having said that, Liphook’s total of 238-6, after Charles Janczur had chosen to bat first, was bloated by a remarkable tally of 40 wides and 50 extras in all.

The visitors were going well at 70-1, with Ryan Covey and Suman Ganguly looking set, but no-one could play the required big innings.

Covey and Mainak Ray made 37 apiece, but progress was slow until Grant Rouse (36) and George Neave (22) livened things up with a sixth-wicket partnership of 49.

The generous extras lifted the total to something defendable, but Ventnor batted more positively and ran more aggressively between the wickets.

Jamie Miller’s brisk 37 put the hosts in a strong position, but they had a wobble and the game was finely balanced at 146-5.

However, a free-flowing partnership of 81 between Westhorpe and Toby Corbin (46 off 50 balls) effectively settled the outcome.

With Liphook bowling too many ‘four balls’, Westhorpe made 65 not out off 89 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six, and led his team home with two overs to spare.

It was a different story at Ripsley Park on Sunday as Liphook crushed Division Three side Purbrook in the first round of the SPL T20 Cup. Liphook amassed 203-7 in their 20 overs. Suman Ganguly launched the innings with 48 in 30 balls and Grant Rouse, coming in at 8, put the bowlers to the sword with a lightning 52 not out in just 21 balls, including four sixes.

Purbrook were never going to threaten the target. Burger Nel hit a spirited 32 as they just managed to reach three figures, ending on 105-9.

• Liphook are home to Sarisbury this Saturday.

• There is more cup action at Ripsley Park on Sunday when Liphook entertain Gloucestershire side Rockhampton in the first national round of the Watsons Village Cup. Rockhampton compete in an equivalent league (West of England Premier 2) and made it to Lord’s a few years ago. It should be a good game (start 1pm).

• Liphook II beat Alton III by 97 runs in the County Four North local derby. Richard Harvey scored 104 out of Liphook’s total of 238-8. Alton were dismissed for 141 in reply. James Seward top-scored with 39, while Sam Corbett took 3-3 in 4.1 overs.