CHRIS Board bowled a canny last over to clinch victory for Rowledge in a low-scoring match at OTs & Romsey who currently prop up the Southern Premier League Division One.

With Old Tauntonians needing 16 off the last over, Rob Newman hit Board’s third ball for six, but a single off the fourth delivery was his last action of the match and after watching two dot-balls from the non-striker’s end, he was left stranded on 66 not out.

Rowledge were defending a modest total of 144. Richard Forbes and Board bowled maidens for fun (7 in the first 10 overs) to put pressure on the Romsey openers and Charlie King soon departed, caught driving at Forbes.

As has been the case all season for Rowledge, spin proved pivotal. George Keeley continued his impressive season by dismissing Harry Tulk and David Lloyd accounted for the unorthodox Stuart Shapland, leaving the home side 44-3.

The Newman brothers steadied their side on a difficult track, nurdling the ball into gaps. The introduction of Sushant Balajee led to the dismissal of Peter Newman, Jamie Teale taking his third catch, and when Lloyd bowled Iain Woodhall and then Balajee dismissed Mike Trodd with an unplayable delivery, Rowledge had the scent of victory at 80-6.

Rob Newman kept his side in the game with help from the lower order and it took some smart ‘death’ bowling from Lloyd, Jake Wish and Board to hold Tauntonians to 137-8 in their 50 overs, Rowledge securing a valuable victory by just seven runs.

Earlier, having lost the toss, Rowledge had seen Balajee run out in the first over.

Jamie Teale, promoted to opener, looked to be positive and he and Joe Randall put on 48 for the second wicket until a mix-up led to another run-out and the exit of Teale.

The pitch was making it a turgid affair, nullifying any attacking intent. Run-scoring was incredibly difficult and when Randall was out for 35 – another encouraging innings – the middle and late order plodded to 144 all out in the 49th over.

Romsey’s slow bowlers were particularly difficult to get away. Shapland took 3-24, while Peter Newman’s two wickets cost just 18 runs in ten overs.

Rowledge prevailed, however, and move up to fourth in the table ahead of the home game with Andover this Saturday.