Rowledge's worst fears were realised on Saturday when an inept batting display resulted in a 70-run defeat to second-placed Easton & Martyr Worthy.

The result means that Rowledge, the Village Cup semi-finalists, will almost certainly be relegated because Trojans and Hungerford both won again.

Rowledge prop up the table and will need a 22-point maximum from their final game at Hungerford on Saturday to have any chance of staying up.

The day had started well for the home side. Easton elected to bat, but were soon in disarray against some very fast, hostile bowling from Jeff Anning and Chris Yates Jnr.

Anning had already struck Ian Butcher on the helmet before dismissing Dave Birch, and his next ball struck Ben Collins in the face, putting the number 3 batsman out of the game.

The Winchester-based side were unable to break the shackles and when Dave Lloyd bowled their best player, Shaun Green, they had limped to 90-4 from 36 overs.

Yet again, Rowledge failed to press home their advantage. True, Easton captain Steve Green batted outstandingly well for his chancless 98 not out, but the fielding was lacklustre to say the least and the bowling all of a sudden went to pieces.

Easton managed to get their total up to 199-5 and 100 runs had come off the final 10 overs.

Rowledge's reply began disastrously as they collapsed to 48-6 against some fine bowling from Mark Stone. But the wicket was flat and true and when it required someone to fight it out and occupy the crease, Rowledge were found wanting.

It again needed veteran Chris Yates to show how it should be done. He made 38 before Rowledge were finally all out for 129 in the 40th over.

Rowledge have to ask themselves some serious questions. There is no doubt they had the talent to cope at this level, but at times they lacked the mental toughness to compete in a very competitive league. In at least four games, they let commanding positions slip away. They can bounce back from this bitter disappointment, but there are vast areas in their game that have to be strengthened.

easton & MW

D Birch c Yates Jnr b Anning 4

I Butcher c Lloyd b C Yates Snr 2

B Collins retired hurt 0

K Neave c Harland b Anning 5

S H Green b Lloyd 18

S T Green not out 98

A Birch c C Yates Snr b Mitchell 25

M Stone not out 18

Extras 29

––

Total (for 5 wkts) 199

––

Bowling: J Anning 2-48, C Yates Snr 1-22.

rowledge

C Yates Jnr c Butcher b Bolland 6

N Morant c Neave b Bolland 1

D Lloyd c S H Green b Stone 4

R Yates c Butcher b Stone 0

J Anning b Stone 12

F Harland lbw Stone 6

D Booton c Butcher b Birch 16

C Yates Snr st Butcher b Birch 38

D Mitchell c sub b St Green 1

J Harland not out 11

I Metcalfe c and b Birch 0

Extras 34

––

Total 129

––

Bowling: M Stone 4-16, M Bolland 2-26, A Birch 3-13.