JORDAN Hobday hit a sparkling century as Hook & Newnham Basics took just 33 overs to surpass Rowledge’s 186-8 at the Recreation Ground.

Matt Love invited Rowledge to bat first and the league’s leading wicket-taker, Spencer Champ, quickly had them in trouble.

Australian Alex Bloomfield, playing just as a batsman as he continues his recovery from injury, was out for nought in the first over as he gloved a steeply bouncing delivery to the slips.

Ian Metcalfe and Chris Board followed suit, both edging good deliveries from Champ to the slips as Rowledge slumped to 48-3.

David Lloyd joined Will Davies at the crease and the pair put together a fine partnership of 85, stroking the ball around nicely as the track flattened out.

It was therefore a shame that Davies departed not long after reaching a stylish fifty by top-edging a high full-toss from off-spinner Aniket Divecha.

Lloyd batted on, but a steady loss of wickets at the other end to disciplined line-and-length bowling, including a brilliant one-handed slip catch by Hobday to remove Nick Taylor, meant Rowledge were never able to cut loose in the closing overs.

Lloyd ended unbeaten on 64 as Rowledge batted out their 50 overs.

Hook showed their intent from ball one as the aggressive pair of Ben Thane and Hobday hit opening bowlers Tim Wheatley and Jake Wish out of the attack with a series of powerful drives.

Hobday raced to 50 off just 24 balls and by the time Lloyd had Thane caught behind for 21, the Basics required only 100 with nine wickets standing.

Kieran Thomson kept the positive approach going and while Hobday started to slow as the spinners applied the brakes to a degree, he still punished anything off target with real conviction.

Chris Yates Snr had an overly eager Thomson stumped and Chris Board trapped Matt Buckingham plumb in front, while Hobday finally fell to Jake Wish, having scored 111 off 85 balls.

Matt Love steered his team home and ensured they remain second in the table.