A SCINTILLATING century by George Neave fired Liphook & Ripley to a 52-run victory at Rowledge on Saturday.

The result lifted Liphook to fourth in the Southern Premier League Division?One and confirmed Rowledge’s relegation, although they would have been down whatever the result because Ventnor won their game to guarantee safety.

Rowledge began well after Charles Janczur had elected to bat at the Rec. Joe Randall’s swing and movement off the seam reduced Liphook to 28-3, and when Steve Martin bowled Suman Ganguly, the visitors were 41-4.

However, the game was turned on its head by a brilliant fifth-wicket partnership of 141 between Harry Munt and Neave.

With Munt content to play the supporting role, Neave, who hasn’t exactly set the world alight this season, hit a personal best 124 off just 110 balls.

He struck 13 fours and three sixes and, despite the pace of his run-making, batted with a composure beyond his 19 years, playing shots all round the wicket.

On 95, with the seamers back on, Neave brought up his maiden century with a lap sweep for six which sailed onto the bowling green, bringing huge cheers from his team-mates.

Skipper Janczur said later: “George has so much natural talent. It was one of the best centuries I have seen in all my years playing league cricket, even more impressive because he’s only just turned 19. Hopefully, it’s the first of many to come.”

The total of 242-9 always looked beyond Rowledge, once Janczur had removed the dangerous Tom Treble – caught by that man Neave.

With two wickets apiece for Janczur and Ganguly, and Ryan Covey following up with a miserly spell, Rowledge were reduced to 60-5.

However, David Lloyd played an accomplished innings and 16-year-old Max Martin joined him in a partnership of 92.

Lloyd finally fell to Dave Elliott for 72 off 94 balls (10 fours) and, at 180, Martin was bowled by Munt for a gutsy 35.

Evergreen left-arm spinner Elliott polished off the tail and Rowledge were all out for 190 in the 48th over, Liphook thus avenging their earlier defeat at Ripsley Park.

With their 2nd XI finishing third in County IV North and the first team having a good run in the National Village Cup, it’s been a good season for Liphook and the signs are good for 2018.

Relegation is hard to take for Rowledge after last season’s seventh place. On the brighter side, several promising youngsters have emerged and newer players are taking on senior responsibility.

Division One is probably the strongest and most competitive it has ever been. Rowledge will have learned a lot and will be looking to bounce back in 2018.