Rowledge outplayed lowly Waterlooville on Saturday and remain bang on course for promotion.

Although the wicket had been covered all week, the heavy rain had leaked underneath and Rowledge had to bat first on a wicket damp at one end.

After openers John Harland and David Lloyd had negotiated a tricky opening spell, putting on 35, Chris Yates Jnr joined Harland and the pair put together a useful stand to take Rowledge past the hundred mark.

They both fell in quick succession to the off-spin of Shepherd, but, with 15 overs remaining, the middle order once again contributed vital runs.

Ricky Yates played some cracking shots in his 37 not out and Darren Mitchell hit a couple of big sixes in the final overs to enable Rowledge to post a testing 217-5 from their 50 overs.

The Waterlooville openers found Craig Eichler and Ricky Yates difficult to get away. Eichler went past the outside edge on numerous occasions before dismissing Baumann, thanks to a sensational catch at second slip by Chris Yates Jnr.

The same combination accounted for the other opener, Farley. Then Ricky Yates got in on the action, getting the ball to cut back and bowl Slatter and Shephard in quick succession.

There was no let-up for Waterlooville as a double bowling change brought Chris Yates Snr and Jnr into the attack.

Lloyd hung on to a flyer in the slips to give Yates Jnr a wicket. His uncle proved too much of a handful for the other batsmen, snapping up 4 for 8 as the visitors were shot out for a paltry 57 in 30 overs.

With two games remaining, it is a three-horse race for the title and two promotion places between Rowledge, leaders Winchester and St Cross.

Rowledge face a tough test this Saturday when they travel to Purbrook. St Cross meet Winchester in the other crunch game.

ROWLEDGE

J Harland lbw Shephard 39

D Lloyd lbw Slater 26

C Yates Jnr c Farley b Shephard 29

C Eichler b Shephard 15

R Yates not out 37

D Booton c and b Shephard 19

D Mitchell not out 20

Extras 32

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Total (for 5 wkts) 217

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Bowling: M Shephard 4-52.

WATERLOOVILLE

C Baumann c C Yates Jnr b Eichler 0

I Farley c C Yates Jnr b Eichler 9

A Over c Lloyd b C Yates Jnr 10

M Slatter b R Yates 0

M Shephard b R Yates 4

P Russell b Yates Snr 2

S Griffin c C Yates Jnr b Eichler 2

L Owen c Eichler b Yates Snr 0

P Freeman not out 9

S Mortimer c Connor b Yates Snr 5

S Rudder b Yates Snr 0

Extras 16

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Total 57

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Bowling: C Eichler 3-14, R Yates 2-15, C Yates Snr 4-8, C Yates Jnr 1-16.