JAKE Wish, normally a tailender, took a chance to open the batting with both hands on Saturday, his 93 setting up Rowledge for a second successive win in the Southern Premier League Division One.

The 28-run victory over Portsmouth at St Helen’s Field lifted Rowledge four places off the foot of the table, relieving the pressure on Ben Wish’s men who had lost their first four games of the season.

Wish chose to bat first and the in-form Nick Morant was promptly lbw to Fraser Hay without scoring. The left-handed pair of Tom Treble and Jake Wish settled down to add 85. Treble took a particular liking to Hay and struck a classy 47 off 40 balls before being caught off spinner Ethan Randell.

Wish, aged 17, continued to compile runs. Particularly happy against the seamers, he drove, cut and flicked off his legs with growing confidence, ably assisted by the experienced pair of David Lloyd and Ian Metcalfe.

Lloyd departed sweeping for an effervescent 33 and when Metcalfe was caught for a sprightly 28, Rowledge were an imposing 218-4.

Having been starved of the strike for four overs, and with a maiden ton beckoning, Wish holed out to long-off for 93 off 134 balls. He hit 10 fours and a six, and it was easily his highest SPL score.

Assisted by 35 extras, Rowledge ended their 50 overs on 253-9, with Hay taking 5-61.

Wish was still keen to take the new ball after his exertions and he and the seasoned Chris Yates opened with tight spells. Yates removed Jordan Palmer-Goddard with the help of a fine catch by young debutant Ollie Baker who was to hold two more.

Lloyd took two wickets as Portsmouth moved to 76-3, but Hay, a Hampshire 2nd XI player, remained a potential match-winner.

Joe Randall, bowling another excellent spell, got Harry Collier and Steve Martin came on to hit the stumps twice: Portsmouth 192-6. The run-rate rose to 10 an over with 10 overs to go, but Hay took 20 off George Keeley’s final over and in a mad three-over spell, Rowledge spilled catches as their fielding dropped off.

However, that man Jake Wish returned to claim the key wicket of Hay, caught by Metcalfe for 83 off 89 balls, including four sixes.

Wish then dismissed Andy Marston and it was now a question of whether Rowledge could bowl the home side out and claim maximum points. Randall and Lloyd duly cleaned up.

Rowledge are home to Hook & Newnham this Saturday.