Skipper Ben so close to a century in home win

Ben Duggan was left within a boundary of his third century for Portsmouth in the Southern Premier League.

The captain struck an unbeaten 96 at the top of the order as the city club surged to the top of the embryonic Division 1 table with a second successive win.

Duggan shared an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 123 with wicket-keeper Sujeeth Daini, who compiled an undefeated half-century on his 1st XI debut, as Portsmouth sealed a seven-wicket triumph in the 42nd over.

Daini was only playing because Richard Warner who had kept wicket (and top scored with 84) in the opening day win against Sparsholt - was out through injury.

Duggan hit 16 boundaries in his 111-ball knock, while there were seven in Daini’s 106-ball innings.

Asked to chase 183 for victory in the St Helens sunshine, Duggan lost opening partner Matt Shaw (13) at 37.

James Mitchell (0) and Dan Wimble (5) also fell cheaply before Daini strode to the crease.

Portsmouth player-coach Steven Warner had earlier bagged 4-26 as Liphook were dismissed for 182 in the 48th over.

There was a big collapse from the visitors, who had progressed to 141-2 following a 131-run stand for the third wicket between keeper Harry Munt (70) and George Neave (57).

The partnership was finally broken by Wimble, the sixth bowler used by Duggan, who had Neave trapped leg before.

Liphook’s 141-2 became 144-5 once Rakshith Rao had dismissed Joe Randell and Wimble (2-18) had accounted for Richard Covey.