Lymington suffered one of their most frustrating defeats of the relatively new Southern Premier Cricket League Premier Division season as Sarisbury Athletic completed a remarkable run chase to win by five wickets despite the visitors dominating much of the contest.

Having been asked to bat first on a hot afternoon, Lymington produced their best batting display of the campaign, posting an imposing 294-7 from their 50 overs, writes Lionel Colby.

Terry Crabb led the way with a superb 93 from 112 balls, falling just seven runs short of a deserved century after laying the foundations for a big total. His innings helped solve an opening partnership problem that has troubled Lymington this season, although Karanveer Kooner's dismissal for 20 left the score at 50-1.

Crabb and Ryan Scott (40) added 73 for the second wicket before Scott fell to Sarisbury skipper Rob Franklin. When Gareth Berg was dismissed for six by Connor Clark, Lymington briefly lost momentum, but overseas player Charlie Wilson continued his encouraging start to life in English cricket.

Wilson smashed 74 from just 67 deliveries, with 50 of those runs coming in boundaries, sharing a 94-run stand with Crabb that appeared to put Lymington firmly in control. Josh Royan's unbeaten 31 added late impetus as the visitors closed on an impressive 294-7.

At 85-4 in reply, Sarisbury looked well beaten.

Wilson removed Zimbabwe U19 international Nathaniel Hlabangama for 21, while Berg struck twice to dismiss Jack Robson and later Joshua Williams. Thor Howell continued his fine season with another wicket, taking his league tally to six, while a sharp Ryan Scott run out accounted for Ricky Rawlins.

The turning point came with the arrival of Williams and opener Joe Baker at the crease together.

Baker produced a magnificent unbeaten 131, while Williams hammered 108 from just 83 balls. Their match-winning partnership of 195 for the fifth wicket came in only 23 overs and completely transformed the game.

The pair punished anything loose as the Lymington attack struggled for answers, with dropped chances proving particularly costly. Although Berg eventually trapped Williams lbw, the damage had been done and Baker calmly guided Sarisbury to victory with nearly three overs remaining.

The defeat leaves Lymington rooted to the foot of the table, still searching for their first win of the season.

Lymington host Alton on Saturday in the first of the season's 120-over timed matches at 11am at the Lymington Sports Ground.