ROWLEDGE slumped to a fourth straight defeat in Division One of the Southern Electric Premier League last Saturday – not the best preparation for their home meeting with league leaders New Milton this weekend.

Basingstoke & North Hants won by five wickets with four overs to spare at May’s Bounty in a game reduced to 43 overs per side after a delayed start.

David Lloyd opted to bat first and Ricky Yates, interrupting his sabbatical, gave Rowledge a quickfire start with a flurry of boundaries down to the third-man area.

However, he and cousin Chris Yates Jnr were both bowled by Graham Porter, while Ian Metcalfe edged Martyn James to slip, the visitors slipping to 46-3.

They recovered with a fine partnership of 107 between opener Will Davies and Alex Bloomfield, giving their side a good platform for a final push.

But Rowledge mustered only a measerly 30 runs from their final 10 overs and finished on 169-8, some 30 runs shy of what they really needed.

Davies made a solid 55 from 129 balls to anchor the innings, while Bloomfield’s 49 came off 50 balls, the Australian looking especially strong on the leg side.

The Basingstoke bowlers did a great job at keeping things tight, especially toward the end of the innings, which proved crucial in the final outcome of the game. Porter was the pick of the attack with 4-28 from nine overs.

Chris Yates Snr picked off both openers to leave the hosts 20-2 in reply.

Former Hampshire batsman Mitch Stokes looked completely at ease while making an effortless 47 until he top-edged a short ball from Yates Snr. Martyn James was bowled by George Keeley for nought and, at 74-4, the result was still in the balance.

But Basingstoke easily closed the game out and composed batting from Steve Bucksey, Lee Nurse and Bradley Neal took them to the winning target with little fuss.