Petersfield’s first team fell to a three-wicket defeat at Rowledge’s second team in Division Two of the Hampshire Cricket League.

Petersfield were looking to bounce back after a tough defeat against Emsworth in their previous match.

Petersfield won the toss and elected to bat in perfect batting conditions.

Henry Shore and Ben Anscombe got Petersfield off to a solid start, running well and hitting the bad ball. Anscombe was the first to go to a good catch in the slips for 13.

Shore and James Walton combined and started to build a partnership together before Shore edged a delivery to keeper Joseph Ryman to leave Petersfield on 68 for two.

This started a mini-collapse with Chris Russell and Joe Clarke both falling to Steve Martin, who finished with three wickets.

Scoring was tough, but Walton and Bharat Katta knuckled down and put on 38 before Katta was run out for 21.

Tom Horwood came and went, which brought Fergus Maclean to the crease – who batted positively and ran well and made an important 21.

Walton then fell for a battling 59 and the tail were cleaned up shortly afterwards as Petersfield were bowled out for 161 in the 40th over.

Rowledge’s run chase got off to a flyer as they hit two boundaries in the first over.

Oscar Maclean dug in and bowled an outstanding spell to finish with figures of one for 24 off nine overs in very hot conditions.

Rowledge scored slowly but edged closer to the target before Russell and Shore combined for four wickets.

Shore finished with excellent figures of three for 19 off nine overs, but Henry Hinchliffe (22 not out) and Tom Smith (two not out) held their nerve to see Rowledge home to victory in the 41st over.