ROWLEDGE, fresh from an emphatic win against Bournemouth, slumped to a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat at May’s Bounty.

Electing to bat first in the Southern Premier League Division One fixture, it had looked so promising for the visitors as Tom Gleave took 14 off the first over.

But that was as good as it got for Rowledge as Basingstoke’s opening bowlers, Graham Porter and Martyn James, found prodigious movement off the seam.

The top order had no answer and with Mitchell Stokes coming on to bowl an unforgiving spell and taking 2-3 in nine overs, run-scoring was incredibly difficult and wickets continued to tumble.

When Joe Randall was out leg before for a gritty 19, Dan Belcher and Stokes polished off the tail and Rowledge were all out for a meagre 80 in 39 overs.

With the track still helpful to seamers and spinners alike, Basingstoke decided to be positive and Stokes hit two fours and a six before Jake Wish had his man caught by Chris Board in the covers.

And when Max Harsham was bowled through the gate by David Lloyd, Rowledge had achieved their first bonus point of the afternoon at 26-2.

But that was their second and final breakthrough. Chris Froud and Belcher played watchfully against some good bowling and their unbroken partnership of 55 clinched victory in the 28th over.

* Rowledge host Liphook & Ripsley in the British Gas T20 Cup this Sunday (3pm start).

* The Village Cup fourth-round tie between Frensham and Rowledge will be played at Hollowdene on Sunday, June 19.

* Former Hartley Wintney all-rounder Jamie Teale has completed a six-match ban and is set to make his debut for Rowledge in the home league match against Sarisbury Athletic this Saturday.