Inspirational Joe Lovett led Sarisbury Athletic to a 45-run victory over Liphook & Ripsley – the little all-rounder striking an innings rescuing half-century before ripping through the opposition lower-order to celebrate a maiden five-wicket return.

He picked his side up by the scruff of the neck with the bat as Sarisbury tottered at 67-5.

His 53 helped steer the Ripsley Park visitors towards a competitive 187-8.

And later, coming back for with his second spell with the ball, he took four of the last five wickets as Liphook crashed from a threatening 109-3 to 142 all out.

Lovett, who bowls with pace and fire, finished with 5-31 – by some way his best SPL return.

It was a compelling affair – the result probably putting paid to Liphook’s outside prospects of promotion from Southern Electric Premier Division 1 – but, sadly, behavioural standards fell some way short of what would normally be acceptable on a cricket field.

Sarisbury’s top order was undone by a splendid new-ball spell by Chas Janczur (4-52), who reduced the Division 1 leaders to50-4 and soon after 67-5 (Ricky Rawlins 27).

But Lovett (53) and Michael Bond (35) redressed the balance, digging Sarisbury out of a hole with a battling 77-run sixth-wicket stand which doubled the score and more.

With James Ingram hitting a breezy 22 not out, Sarisbury Athletic recovered to post a competitive 187-8.

Sarisbury boast a potent pace bowling attack and when Lovett got an immediate leg before wicket verdict (at 5-1), Liphook were on the back foot.

But Ryan Covey (47) and Jamie Richards (33) gradually turned the tide, the chunky Liphook opener striking some crisp and clinical boundary shots.

It was as Liphook moved to 81-1 that Sarisbury became frustrated and lost their cool as decisions didn’t go their way in the Ripsley heat.

Constant bickering and salt-air language filled the air and on several occasions in a tense and often fraught evening session the umpires had speak to Sarisbury skipper Dave Banks, who appeared to exert little control and argued with the officials.

Things quietened down when Sarisbury regained control with a double spin breakthrough by the effective Peter Hammond (3-29) which led to Liphook slipping to 110-5.

But as Chris Martin (15) lifted the reply to 135, so Sarisbury again lost their composure : there was over-zealous appealing and umpire decisions were frequently contested.

Despite the brief rally, Liphook were always second favourites at this stage and Lovett’s return produced a quick and uncomfortable end to the innings.

The last five wickets fell for seven runs – four of them to Lovett, who had the proverbial steam coming from his ears as he charged in to wrap up the reply at 142 all out.

To their credit, Sarisbury twice clawed themselves back into the match to win it : sadly, the manner they did so won them few friends …