Rowledge secured a vital 53-run victory at high-flying Hook & Newnham Basics in Division One of the Southern Premier Cricket League on Saturday to move further away from the drop zone.

Winning the toss and batting on a very warm afternoon proved a masterstroke on a used wicket that seemed dry and a bit bare on a usually excellent Hook wicket.

Things did not go to plan early on when the visitors lost two early wickets to the very effective opening bowling pair of Lewis Watts and Ollie May.

Zac Le Roux and Sam Marshall both fell to good catches, and at 13 for two it looked precarious for Rowledge.

However, Olly Ryman joined in-form opener Max Martin and slowly but surely got the innings up and running.

A solid partnership on a wicket that seemed to be doing a little for the spinners was encouraging for the visitors, but three wickets meant the match hung in the balance with Rowledge on 91 for five.

Will Ryman joined Martin at the crease and the pair produced a match-winning partnership in quick time.

Will took the attack to the bowlers and produced a boundary-strewn innings which put Hook on the back foot. Martin fell for a fine 74, but Will continued to attack the Hook bowling before falling for a quickfire 72.

Rowledge scored 203 for nine off their allotted 50 overs.

Richard Forbes (two for 15) struck twice in his first two overs to dismiss the dangerous Josh Buckingham and Harry Warner to leave the hosts in trouble on three for two.

Harry Robson (28) and Matt Buckingham (45) got the Hook innings back on track with a free-flowing partnership which took the score to 63 before Robson fell leg before wicket to Connor Cook.

The wicket was starting to take spin, which suited the visitors. David Lloyd and Ollie Baker (four for 28) contained the scoring rate and wickets fell at regular intervals as Hook were bowled out for 150.

Rowledge will travel to Ventnor tomorrow (Saturday).