ROWLEDGE were left to rue dropped catches as they slumped to a 24-run home defeat to Andover who move up to third place in the Southern Premier League Division One.

Electing to field, Rowledge put down both openers in the first five overs as Andover looked to build a big total. Ali Hooper was the main aggressor and while enjoying some luck, was severe on anything wide. Glyn Treagus, meanwhile, quietly accumulated runs and was particularly nimble on his feet.

The inroduction of David Lloyd’s off-spin eventually broke the stand at 98, Hooper being stumped by Ben Wish for 59, and the same combination accounted for Craig Ross soon afterwards.

Treagus continued in fine form and with overseas player James O’Gorman scoring at a run a ball, the runs came freely.

Hampered by a pulled muscle, Treagus holed out for 58 to Sushant Balajee who then dismissed the attack-minded Max Souter. George Keeley bowled another tight spell and when fellow left-armer Chris Yates Snr picked up the dangerous O’Gorman for 47, Rowledge had wrested back the initiative.

Matt Knight launched three sixes, however, and although wickets tumbled in the latter stages, Andover totalled a very useful 230-9 from their 50 overs.

Skipper Wish claimed four stumpings, three off Lloyd who finished with 4-43 from 10 overs

Rowledge needed a decent start, but Balajee soon went lbw to the impressive Babu Veettil and when Joe Randall lost his middle stump to Mike Adams, the home team were 32-2.

Lloyd and the returning Tom Gleave set about rebuilding and the pair batted well to put on 62 against an attack that gave little away.

Gleave unluckily played on to Danny Foy for 42 and the asking rate continued to climb as Rowledge struggled to punish the rare bad delivery.

The nagging O’Gorman trapped Chris Board in front and Ian Metcalfe and Jamie Teale perished in the quest to claw back a rate that was now more than 10 an over.

At 137-6, it was about how many points Rowledge could take from the game. Lloyd remained positive and was joined by Ben Wish in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 69. This ensured a fourth batting point in the last over. Lloyd finished 81 not out (10 fours) and Wish was unbeaten on 26.

Rowledge entertain lowly Totton & Eling this Saturday and will be looking to get back on track.