ROWLEDGE plunged to a fourth successive defeat in the Southern Premier League Division One, mustering only 130 in reply to Sarisbury’s 231-5 at the Recreation Ground.

With Ben Wish losing the toss again, he looked to his spinners to build up pressure after Ricky Rawlins had elected to bat.

The battery of slow bowlers – Chris Yates, George Keeley, David Lloyd and Chris Board – were economical, but lacked penetration on a wicket giving turn and varied bounce, although the ball never really came onto the bat.

The patient Rawlins anchored the innings with 79 off 110 balls at the top of the order and received consistent support down the order.

The Rowledge bowlers kept the run-rate under control until the final power play when standards dropped and Josh Hill and Matt Journeaux took full advantage with a salvo of boundaries, steering Sarisbury to an above-par 231-5.

Shayne Freemantle bowled his 10 overs straight off when Rowledge replied and while conceding boundaries, he managed to get rid of Nick Morant, the dangerous Tom Treble and then the in-form Tom Gleave for a run-ball 34, brilliantly stumped down the leg-side by Tom Mills.

Rowledge were then 72-3 and although Board and Lloyd shared a promising stand of 32, Sarisbury took the pace off the ball to good effect, the pair departing in turn to Phil Jewell and Rawlins.

The remaining batsmen submitted meekly to that man Rawlins who took 4-16 in 9.1 overs and Rowledge collapsed from 104-3 to 130 all out.

This Saturday, Rowledge host leaders Basingstoke who will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Liphook.