ROWLEDGE lost by 125 runs away to Andover, a side who showed the true quality of their line-up as they rejoined the promotion race in the Southern Premier League Division One.

Andover, after winning the toss, quickly lost Will Arnold to Jake Wish, but that only brought in the classy Glyn Treagus.

After Richard Forbes had dismissed Ali Hooper for a quickfire 30, Treagus and overseas player James O’Gorman put on 107 for the third wicket, manoeuvring the ball around skilfully against the Rowledge spin battery.

George Keeley did remove both batsmen, Treagus for 88 and O’Gorman for 45, but Harry Blackburn and Max Souter made hay in the last ten overs, adding 79 and making the bowlers toil as the score rocketed to 260-4.

Rowledge, having reached 35 without loss, ran into trouble against the formidable opening attack of Babu Veetil and Mike Adams. Veetil, in particular, bowled with pace and accuracy, extracting some swing and zip off the pitch.

It was the quality of the bowling rather than poor shot selection that saw the visitors go from 35-0 to 44-5.

Sam Moseley, who has been a revelation during the second half of the league season, remained positive and played some classic drives, particularly off the spinners.

But it was the slow bowling of Danny Foy that led to Rowledge’s demise, once Chris Board had gone for 22.

Foy took 4-26 in 10 overs and Rowledge slumped to 135 all out in 33 overs, with Moseley left high and dry on 62 not out off 82 balls, having hit 12 fours.

Rowledge visit relegated Totton & Eling in their final game this Saturday, looking to hold their seventh position in the table.