ROWLEDGE gave as good as they got in an absorbing contest against Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, only to lose in the last over of this Southern Premier League Division One match.

Put in to bat, Rowledge were given their best start of the season by openers Nick Morant and Tom Gleave. Both were keen to take advantage of any width and there wasn’t much on offer, with Rob Snell bowling an excellent opening spell.

But the pair completed disciplined half-centuries before both fell to James Cheek and their stand of 119 allowed Tom Treble and David Lloyd to push the score on.

Treble made 37 off 42 balls, while Lloyd hit three towering sixes in a 30-ball 39, and with Ian Metcalfe providing a final flourish, Rowledge reached a very competitive 245-4 in their 50 overs.

Rowledge, without genuine pace in their attack, rely heavily on spin and veteran Chris Yates trapped Ben Attrill lbw with only seven runs scored. But this brought together captain Snell and Schaughn Van Greunen who had struck 123 off 62 balls against Sarisbury the week before.

The pair were developing an aggressive partnership when slow left-armer George Keeley had Snell snaffled by Ben Wish behind the stumps. However, while Van Greunen was at the wicket, it was Ventnor’s game.

Seamer Joe Randall had Jamie Miller plumb lbw and now Rowledge were faced with Neil Westhorpe, so often the barrier to victories in the past.

Keeley gave Rowledge real hope by bowling Van Greunen for 82 (76 balls) and Ventnor, 147-4, needed to score at a run a ball.

Westhorpe manoeuvred the ball around and used his experience to guide his partners through the run-chase. Yates picked up Toby Corbin, stumped by Wish, and Randall clean-bowled Cheek to leave the match delicately balanced at 186-6.

The seasoned pair of Westhorpe and Martin Blackman added 40 vital runs until Jake Wish broke through with two wickets, both caught by Lloyd.

The Islanders needed nine off the last over with two wickets in hand, and Westhorpe still there. He was equal to the task and slog-swept Lloyd’s third ball for six to end a superb game of cricket.

Deeply disappointing for Rowledge who played some fine cricket, but are still looking for their first win of the season. Perhaps it will happen this Saturday when they host Sarisbury.