LIPHOOK & Ripsley moved above Rowledge into sixth place in Division One of the Southern Electric Premier League after beating Bournemouth by three wickets at Chapel Gate.

An excellent, evenly-contested game swung back and forth throughout the day, but a half-century from Grant Rouse and vital partnerships saw Liphook through against a strong Bournemouth team, currently fourth in the table.

Put in to bat before the slow outfield had dried out, Bournemouth made slow progress. Suman Ganguly bowled another mean opening spell, dismissing the openers and finishing with 3-18 from 10 testing overs.

Bournemouth were a handy 80-2 at one stage, but number seven Matt Jones was the only batsman to pass 30. Dave Kidner and Jones put on 46 for the sixth wicket and Jones and the aggressive Jake Hurley (25 off 16 balls) added a further 43, enabling the home side to post a reasonable 191-9 from their 50 overs.

All the bowlers did well, with Ganguly the pick and Sean Burton and Jamie Hall keeping the run-rate under control at a crucial stage in the innings, while sharing four wickets.

Liphook were equally guarded in their reply. Michael Kitson and Josh Finnie bowled particularly well and at 71-4, with Ganguly a third lbw victim for 21, the game was in the balance.

A fifth-wicket stand of 54 between skipper Harry Munt (28) and Rouse began to turn the game in the visitors’ favour, only for Bournemouth to bounce back with two quick wickets to leave Liphook on 134-6.

However, former Basingstoke player Rouse produced his best innings for Liphook, reaching his first 50 for the club before being run out for 59 with 20 runs still required.

In a tense finish, Charles Janczur and Lee Luke-Nutbrown remained calm and picked off the remaining runs.

Liphook needed eight at the start of the 49th over. Janczur dispatched Rob Pack’s first ball for a straight four and the second for a straight six to end the game in some style.

Liphook are home to Calmore Sports on Saturday (start 1pm).