Rowledge lost a final-ball thriller by one wicket at home to high-flying Fair Oak in Division One of the Southern Premier Cricket League.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, the in-form duo of Zac Le Roux and Archie Redfern put on 109 for the first wicket, with Redfern passing 1,000 league runs for the season.

Once Le Roux fell for 40, momentum was maintained through Jonty Sebborn and Redfern, with the spin of Lewis Goodyear and the accurate seam bowling of Ben Smith working hard to keep Fair Oak in the contest.

Redfern was dismissed for 80 by the hard-working Smith after once again displaying his trademark pull shots and sumptuous drives.

Sebborn scored a positive 41, while Ollie Southon's 26 and Olly Ryman’s quickfire 49 not out off 37 balls took Rowledge to a healthy total of 272 for four off 50 overs.

Fair Oak’s reply started positively, with Ramanan looking to attack. Ramanan soon fell to Southon, and when Will Ryman dismissed Harry Reed Rowledge were on top at 40 for two.

Sam Reed was joined by Connor Gibson and the pair were keen to not allow the Rowledge bowling attack to settle. They put on 118 for the third wicket to keep their side in the contest.

The returning Will Ryman dismissed Reed for an enterprising 68, and then Ollie Baker dismissed Wheble stumped to a delightful left-arm spin delivery.

The visitors needed 100 to win with 16 overs to go, with the game in the balance.

Gibson fell straight after the second drinks break to Redfern, and with two new batters at the crease pressure mounted on Clark and Smith to keep Fair Oak in the contest.

Once the superb Baker had finished his spell of ten overs for 28, Clark looked to take the attack to Rowledge.

Clark’s 58 off 37 balls, which was well supported by Smith’s 21, kept Fair Oak in and around the required run rate.

Rowledge did not lie down and Redfern looked to turn the tide once more – dismissing Clark and then running out Smith from backward point with a superb direct hit.

Southon returned to clean bowl two lower-order batters, but Rowledge were unable to take the final wicket.

Fair Oak needed six runs off the final over with one wicket in hand. That equation became one run needed off the final ball, and the visitors held their nerve to squeeze over the line.

An excellent game of cricket, with Rowledge once again being involved in a highly-competitive close contest.

Rowledge travel to Totton & Eling on Saturday, before travelling to South Wilts on Sunday for a Southern Premier League T20 Cup quarter-final clash.

Rowledge’s second team won by 51 runs at Shanklin & Godshill to consolidate second place.

The visitors produced a clinical performance to bowl the hosts out for 169 after scoring 220.

Rowledge’s third team won by five wickets at home to Herriard’s second team.

Tony Watts (three for 45), Ollie Eaton (two for 26) and Toby Arrowsmith (two for 12) took vital wickets as Rowledge bowled the visitors out for 125.

Eaton (31) and Alex Macadam (24 not out) led the way in the run chase as Rowledge knocked the runs off in the 30th over.