A MOMENT of magic by Frank Tickle and a batting masterclass by Rich Jarrett helped Liphook and Ripsley III defeat Frimley III in their opening I’Anson League clash of the season.

Frimley won the toss and elected to field, and opening batsmen John Strong and Mick Poore took the sting out of the bowlers and patiently went about building an opening partnership.

All was going well until Poore edged a delivery which was sharply caught by Frimley wicketkeeper Neil Harris.

With Ross Seavill departing for a duck soon after, Liphook were wobbling at 36 for two.

Strong and the new batsman Rich Jarratt then set about building the match-defining partnership of 121 runs before Strong went the way of Poore and was caught behind the stumps.

Andy Grimes (14) and skipper Al Lewis (ten not out) maintained the momentum to take Liphook and Ripsley to a competitive score of 231 for five in their 40 overs.

But all the attention was on Richard Jarratt, who took the plaudits for a magnificent 113 from 87 deliveries.

The early signs were rather ominous as Frimley set about their run chase with a degree of vigour and reached the first 50 scoring at six an over – and Liphook were beginning to realise it was going to take a moment of brilliance to remove the batsmen.

And what a moment of brilliance it was, when Frank Tickle leapt through the air to remove Harris for 34 with what could well be the catch of the season.

Mas Chaudry continued the attack for Frimley but with the score on 82, Mihhas Qamar (five) was spectacularly bowled by Jarratt (2-23) and Chaudry (31) followed quickly, after having been deceived by the pace of John Strong’s slower ball.

Strong (5-33) was on fire and Frimley collapsed, losing six wickets for only 30 runs.

The Frimley tail wagged briefly with Wasim Raja scoring 37 from 28 balls as they tried to recover, but then great work in the slips by Mick Poore, with a couple of excellent diving catches, and a wonderful caught and bowled by Charlie Cuervo Moraga (1-38), tipped the match in Liphook’s favour.

It was left to Nick Cansfield (2-22) to remove Raja leg before and Frimley were all out for 164, giving Liphook a 67-run winning margin.