CAPTAIN Simon Beetham admits the loss of Ryan Scott to injury is a bitter blow to Lymington as the season kicks up a gear.

Scott could be out for around six weeks with a hamstring problem which he sustained in last weekend's home defeat to South Wilts.

The 21-year-old batsman retired hurt before returning to the crease later with a runner in an attempt to help Lymo to victory – but the hosts fell 10 runs short of the target.

Wimborne-born Scott's spell on the sidelines will also be tough pill for Dorset to swallow given his key role in the county's flying start to the campaign.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to St Cross Symondians (11.30), Beetham told the Daily Echo: "Ryan reckons he could be out for six weeks plus, which is not ideal at this stage of the year.

"He is a big player for us and it is a loss but we have a good squad so we should be able to fill that number three spot and get on with it.

"He will be sorely missed while he is out, on and off the field.

"We have quite a young squad that gets on well and he is a good laugh, so it will be shame not to have him around."

Lymington's visit to St Cross is part of the first round of time games in the Southern Premier League's top flight, with the 50-over format being left behind.

In the absence of the sidelined Scott and Chris Blake, Tom Atkins and Neil Trestrail come into the side.

Lymo: Hand, McManus, Lock, Ellis, C Grierson, Atkins, Beetham, Calcott, Metcalfe, Freeman, Trestrail.

Skipper Mike Porter has emphasised the urgent need to get back to winning ways when Bashley travel to Hampshire Academy.

Bashley have suffered back-to-back defeats to Alton and Havant, while the clash against Burridge in between was cancelled.

Reflecting on tomorrow's fixture, Porter said: "It's a game we see as a must-win. We don't want to get into a little bit of a bad streak and get drawn down the table.

"At the start of the season, we would have looked at the game against the Academy as a win.

"When you are playing against the Academy, they have got so much talent but you always feel you can rattle through them purely because they are young, so with our spin that's what we will try and do."

Although selected, Gavin Bailiff cannot bowl due to a side strain so Kevin Nash has been brought in to provide bowling cover.

Bash: Gates, Jacques, Porter, Bailiff, Ridley, Watkins, Neal, Digby, Thomson, Lilley, Nash.

New Milton are unchanged for the home fixture against Alton with batsman Tom Arnold – fresh from his call-up by Dorset – again due to feature.

Green and Golds: Arnold, Wakefield, N Park, J Park, Haggaty, Edwards, L Beck, Elliott, Loader, Watts, Gargaro.