PACE bowler George Neave claimed his first Southern Premier League five-wicket haul as Liphook & Ripsley staged a stunning comeback to beat Hook & Newnham Basics by 12 runs at the King George V Playing Field.

Neither side could come up with a match-winning individual innings, but at 169-5, chasing Liphook’s 191, Hook seemed poised for victory before a dramatic collapse by the late order gave the visitors an unlikely win.

Charles Janczur decided to bat first, but Liphook could muster only bits and pieces for their 191 all out, with Ryan Covey top-scoring on 31.

Opening the bowling for Basics on his league debut, Richard Armstrong impressed with 4-36, while Kevin Poulter took 3-33 from ten accurate overs.

Liphook were 151-8 at one stage, but Harry Munt held firm while Neave hit a quickfire and crucial 30, including two sixes.

Hook opener Ben Thane offered a number of chances while making 52. Jordan Hobday and skipper Matt Love gave good support and Hook required only 22 runs with five wickets intact and plenty of overs remaining.

But when Suman Ganguly bowled keeper Josh Buckingham for 27, the runs dried up. The fiery Neave, who had already claimed three victims, returned to strike two further fatal blows as Hook faltered.

Munt topped off a fine performance behind the stumps, claiming his fourth victim by catching Aniket Divecha off Mainak Ray to leave Hook all out for 179. The last four wickets had fallen in the space of 14 balls.

Liphook showed great character in the field throughout, fighting until the very end to snatch victory in a game they seemed destined to lose.

They host Calmore Sports this Saturday, looking for a third straight win in the SPL Division One.

* National Village Cup newcomers Liphook & Ripsley eased into the third round with a seven-wicket win over visitors Bramshaw.

Experienced opener Dave Strether top-scored for Bramshaw with 35 and Zane De Monte made a hard-hitting 27. Rob Nicklin bowled spin to take 3-32 and with seamer Giles Cover picking up 3-33, the New Forest side were dismissed for 164 in the 39th of the allotted 40 overs.

Liphook made relatively light work of the task, getting the runs in 28.1 overs. Nicklin hit a bright 39 and then a partnership of 93 between Suman Ganguly (77) and Cover (44 not out) ensured an early victory.