CAPTAIN Chris Park is hoping Bournemouth’s agonising defeat by Southern Premier League Division One rivals Liphook & Ripsley will serve as a wake-up call.

Lions suffered their first reverse of the season after going down by four runs following a tense conclusion at Chapel Gate.

Chasing 235 for victory, they needed six off the final delivery but were eventually contained at 230 for seven.

Skipper Park told the Daily Echo: “The start to the season has been good in places but we are nowhere near top speed yet. There is so much more in the dressing room in both our batting and bowling.

“This may have been a learning curve and a little kick just to refocus us and get us thinking about playing cricket the way we should.

“We did not take it easy but maybe it will just switch on a few people and make them respect the game of cricket – that’s definitely one thing I have always tried to do.

“Individually, we all probably think we could have done 10 per cent better, which would have won us the game.”

Opener Rob Nicklin made a patient 58 to lay the foundations for Liphook & Ripsley to reach 234 for six from their 50 overs.

His good work was continued by Harry Munt who struck 93 from 84 deliveries, his impressive knock including eight fours and two sixes.

All-rounder Ed Denham (3-56) was among the wickets for Lions, while Dave Kidner kept it tight in the early stages, going for a miserly 18 from eight overs.

In reply, Bournemouth got off to a difficult start. Opening batsman Tom West was removed second ball without scoring before Simon Woodruff was trapped leg before with the score on 27.

Captain Park (28) and brother Nick Park then looked to rebuild before the former was caught off the bowling of Sean Burton.

Despite opener Nick Park going on to make 71, Lions left themselves needing 77 from the final 10 overs with four wickets in hand.

And although some late hitting from Jake Hurley (42) and Martin Miller (32*) put the contest in the balance, it was Liphook who held their nerve with the ball to triumph.

“It was a good game of cricket all round but we were disappointed with our fielding performance in the last 20 overs,” added Park.

“You know there is going to be an onslaught at the end but you back yourself to pick up wickets. We wanted to keep them to around 160 and they got 230.

“Fair play to Liphook, they played well. Harry Munt got 93 and batted really well. We dropped him on about 80 and those runs could have been the difference.”