Rowledge slipped to a three-wicket defeat at home to Andover in Division One of the Southern Premier Cricket League on Saturday.
A two-hour delay to the start of the game, caused by a thunderstorm, reduced the match to a 37 overs-per-side contest and provided a low-scoring but exciting contest at the Recreation Ground as second-placed Andover stopped the hosts’ winning run.
The hosts lost the in-form Max Martin and Sam Marshall early on, and at two for two a rebuilding of the innings was required.
Zac Le Roux provided the backbone of the innings, but the home team lost wickets regularly.
On a green, seaming wicket Andover’s seamers made full use of the humid conditions and reduced the hosts to 32 for five after 20 overs.
Le Roux (18) and Will Ryman (13) kept the scoreboard ticking over, but when they both fell in quick succession Rowledge were 57 for seven.
Ollie Baker fought hard for his 18 not out as Rowledge were dismissed for 93 – a total which did not look nearly enough to trouble the promotion-chasing visitors.
Spin bowlers Martin and Baker opened the bowling for Rowledge after tea.
Andover were well placed at 48 for one, but a middle-order collapse saw the visitors fall to 53 for seven. Connor Cook (four for 24) provided the spark for Rowledge with a fine spell.
Babu Veettil joined Nathan Birks and decided attack was the best form of defence, and took the game away from Rowledge. Two sixes and three fours saw the visitors home with plenty of overs to spare.
The joy in the Andover ranks which greeted the winning runs just showed how close Rowledge got to springing a surprise after only achieving a small total.
Rowledge had plenty of positives to take from the game, and will hope to bounce back when they host second-bottom Hambledon on Saturday.
Rowledge reached the next round of the Southern Premier Cricket League Twenty20 Cup with a six-wicket victory against Parley in the second round on Sunday.
Rowledge Cricket Club’s president’s day will be held on Sunday, July 23.
The club are one of eight accredited disability clubs in Surrey, and for the second successive year they will host a county disability match.
This year, the president’s day match will be between Surrey’s second team and Hampshire’s second team. The match will start at 1pm.
Before the match, the Surrey Disability Cricket Roadshow coaches will be offering free coaching from 10.30am to 11.30am on July 23.
All junior and youth players are welcome to attend.
Anyone who would like more information about disability cricket should email [email protected]