AFTER a series of close results, Ropley were on the receiving end of a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat at Portsmouth & Southsea.

A weakened Ropley side faced opponents in great form and clearly contenders for the Hampshire League title.

The visitors were tied down by good bowling and fielding. When skipper Alexander Stogdon (30) was bowled by Jon Willey (4-37), the score was 43 from 14 overs. Alex Spencer (38) and Tim Niemand (57) added 90 for the third wicket, but by then only ten overs were left.

The remaining batsmen managed to add only 42. The intrepid Sam Graham guided Ropley to an extra point at 175-9, but it was never likely to be enough. Jake Peach (3-29) was the other main wicket-taker.

Ropley removed the Southsea openers by the 15th over with the total on 50. But then Jack Davies (82 not out) and Matt Benfield (43 not out) began the onslaught in earnest and the hosts raced to victory in their 33rd over.