Rowledge visited top of the table Sarisbury and despite putting in a good batting performance they succumbed to a fine century as they lost by five wickets with six overs to spare.

Winning the toss and batting, the visitors put in a solid display, with most of the Rowledge batsmen getting started but ultimately nobody going on to a large total.

Plenty of partnerships were built but none went on to become a match-winning one. Max Martin (30) made his usual steady start after losing fellow opener Le Roux early on, and the middle order carried on the steady building of the total.

At 180 for four, with Ollie Ryman (38) and Ollie Baker (48) going well, a large total looked on the cards. But when both got out within the space of a few overs, it was left to Ryan Littlewood (32) and David Lloyd (21) to carry on the attack.

Tight bowling and good catches restricted Rowledge to a competitive 247 for eight. Wickets were shared around the Sarisbury bowlers, with Archie Pascoe’s two for 41 the best figures.

Sarisbury’s response got off to a bad start when Tom Morton was caught behind by skipper Ben Wish off overseas player Justin Felsch in the second over.

But Josh Hill (113) asserted his authority to play a chanceless knock with classy shots all round the ground.

When the second wicket went he was joined by Nathan Feltham (77 not out) and the pair proceeded to take the game away from Rowledge with some superb batting.

Although the visitors continued to try to apply pressure on the partnership, they always managed to relieve it with a boundary.

The run rate was never a problem, and although the fielding was generally good the batsmen continued to play to win the game and did not look in danger of getting out.

Rowledge obtained a couple of extra bowling points at the end with the fall of Hill and a couple of other batsmen, but the game was up and the home side won with six overs in hand and Feltham not out at the end.