ROWLEDGE had to summon a real team effort and fighting spirit to successfully defend a total of 176 against Hook & Newnham Basics.

Put in to bat In their first SEPL Division One match of the season, Rowledge got off to a flying start as Tom Gleave and Nick Morant punished anything off line.

But having put on 42, the openers went in the space of seven runs. Chris Board and David Lloyd both got starts, only to fall lbw, and with new overseas man Sushant Balajee bowled for a duck and Joe Randall and Jake Wish faring little better, Rowledge were in deep trouble at 102-7 off just 27 overs.

Ian Metcalfe was then joined by captain Ben Wish and the pair put on a vital 42 for the eighth wicket. Metcalfe played the four spinners with patience and skill and received further support from George Keeley.

Metcalfe was finally stumped for 52 (66 balls) and Rowledge recovered to total a competitive 176.

Rowledge were positive, confident that their battery of five spinners could have a major impact on the game. So it proved, and the early introduction of Board and Lloyd set the tone for the Hook innings.

Board bowled the dangerous Ben Thane for 23 and then had fellow opener Sam Bruin well caught on the run by Randall. Skipper Matt Love holed out to Keeley off Lloyd to leave Hook 58-3, with the inexperienced middle order now under pressure.

Keeley and Balajee joined the attack and as the run-rate climbed, the spinners remained on top.

The later batsmen connected with some lusty blows, but to no avail and and the Basics were dismissed for 146 in the 47th over, with Keeley and Balajee taking three wickets apiece.

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Metcalfe’s earlier innings had got his side up to a defendable total, but the endeavour and spirit in the field was particularly encouraging for Rowledge who host Portsmouth this week.