LIPHOOK, entering the National Village Cup for the first time this season, became Hampshire champions on Sunday with an excellent victory over Sparsholt at Ripsley Park.

Rob Nicklin shared an opening stand of 57 with Suman Ganguly (36) and went on to make an excellent 73, including three sixes. George Neave (22) and Toby Flack (19) added useful late runs and Liphook totalled 197-8 in their 40 overs.

A devastating spell of 4-22 in eight overs by quick bowler Ganguly reduced Sparsholt, currently second in the SPL?Division Two, to 22-5, with three batsmen out for ducks.

Dave Banks (29) and Nick Doubell, who hit a hurricane 46 off 22 balls, including five sixes, led a valiant recovery, despite both batting with muscle strains.

Greg Whiting (27 not out) also put up spirited resistance, but Alan Crawford (2-61) and Charles Janczur (2-7) eventually finished the job and Sparsholt fell 46 short on 151 all out in the 34th over.

Rowledge looked to be in trouble in their Village Cup Surrey Group final as Blackheath moved impressively to 143-2, with Rob Parrott (54) and Peter Melhuish (62) both reaching half-centuries.

But 16-year-old Max Martin (2-41) got the two big wickets and the home side collapsed to 187 all out in the 40th over.

Ian Metcalfe (41) and Ricky Yates (26) got Rowledge off to a flier as opening bowler Torsten Wrigley lost his radar. But having reached 79-1, they dipped to 105-4, needing 83 from 17 overs.

Ollie Baker, also 16 years old, made a composed 30 as accurate bowling by Peter and Will Melhuish and Simon?Mansell (3-28) kept the result in the balance.

When Ben Wish was out for 23, the visitors required 18 off four overs. Tom Nicholls (20 not out) and Chris Yates (11 not out) picked off the remaining runs in an unbroken partnership and Rowledge, with the considerable help of 34 extras (26 wides), won by three wickets with an over to spare.

Liphook will host Gloucestershire side Rockhampton in the first national round on Sunday, June 25, while Rowlege are drawn at home to East Sussex club Mayfield.