ROWLEDGE were much improved on their return to the Rec and were impressive 58-run winners against relegated Sarisbury who are looking for a quick return to the SPL Premier Division.

Consistency was the key word as Rowledge totalled 240 before being bowled out in the 50th over.

Sushant Balajee shared stands of 45 and 57 with Nick Morant and Joe Randall. The latter, promoted to number 3, was unlucky to be adjudged lbw to Shayne Freemantle and the same bowler dismissed Balajee soon after for 43.

David Lloyd and Chris Board kept the score ticking over, with Board particularly positive against the spinners. Looking to increase the tempo, both fell to Ricky Rawlins, but a late flourish by Jake Austin and debutant Jamie Teale saw the home side to a defendable total.

Rowledge were well aware of the threat posed by Sarisbury, the league’s leading run-scorers this season. Yet the visitors made a disastrous start and slumped to 47-5.

Ian Metcalfe took an outstanding slip catch off Jake Wish to remove Ryan Covey, the former Liphook all-rounder, while Ben Wish’s decision to open with Board paid off handsomely as the spinner claimed two wickets in two balls, dismissing the dangerous Basil Akram for 22 and then having Rawlins caught behind.

The early introduction of George Keeley saw the back of Harry Hovey and Jack Lovett and Rowledge were well and truly on top.

But Sarisbury were far from finished. A fifth-wicket stand of 112 between Dan Clouting and Freemantle, showing positive intent in both stroke-play and running, changed the dynamic of the game, and with the run-rate hovering around six an over, the match was finely poised.

Wish then reintroduced both Keeley (4-37) and Board (3-20) and again it did the trick, both batsmen being caught soon after reaching their 50s.

At 159-7, the tailenders knew the game was beyond them and the onus was on Rowledge to clinch maximum points. This they achieved in the final over when Teale had last man Tom Kitcher stumped to cap Rowledge’s best performance of the season.

Rowledge visit OTs & Romsey this Saturday. The following day takes them to Frensham and a Village Cup fourth-round match against their near-neighbours.