Rockhampton CC 252-6 beat Swindon CC 251-9 by four wickets
A NEW-LOOK Rockhampton, with four debutants, took on a strong Swindon side in the Glos/Wilts Division opener on Saturday.
Skipper Jack Spence won the toss and with rain forecast later in the day, opted to bowl first.
It could have been the perfect start for overseas signing Matt Wells as his very first delivery was hit in the air to Matt Tyler at cover but unfortunately he was unable to hold onto it.
The Swindon openers took the score onto 45 before another new recruit, James Wakefield, got an immediate breakthrough for the first of his four victims.
The other opener was caught and bowled by Wakefield to leave Swindon on 88-2.
James Hancox picked up a wicket early in his spell with a superb catch down the leg-side from Jamie Klapper and Wakefield grabbed another to leave him with fantastic figures of eight overs, two maidens 3-24.
Spin twins Hancox (2-35) and Perry (2-44) helped to reduce Swindon to 146-7.
But Will Nichols along with skipper Andrew Staff put on 88 for the eighth wicket and eventually fell himself for a brilliant 61.
In response Will Tyler came flying out of the blocks and passed 30 before his opening partner Wakefield had faced an over.
Wakefield fell for nine and Tyler was joined at the crease by Michael Beard, returning to the club, who raced onto 31.
The required rate crept above eight an over but this never concerned Tyler who all but wrapped the game up in the 47th over with four back-to-back boundaries.
Wells hit the winning round to finish unbeaten on 10 but it was Tyler who shall rightly take most of the plaudits for a match-winning 69 not out. Rockhampton find themselves top of the league after the first weeks results and will be looking to build further on this as they travel to Gloucester City Winget this Saturday.


Rockhampton CC 266-5 beat Corse & Staunton CC 122 all out by 144 runs
ROCKHAMPTON Rams began their bid to return to Lords with a convincing win away at Corse and Staunton with the Tyler brothers again stealing the show.
After having been asked to bat first, the pair never looked in any danger as they both continued their form from Saturday, amassing a huge opening stand of 210 with Matt Tyler falling for 91 and Will Tyler smashing 117.
A few batsmen came and went in a late slog to get the score above 250 but Simon Hore (32 not out) looked very impressive and was key in the Rams posting 266/5 from their 40 overs.
 Despite a really good start, Corse and Staunton were never really in the game once the openers were dismissed.
Bowling stars were Hancox (3-21), Perry (3-27), Willoughby (1-36) and Sam Nichols (1-5).
It was left for Sam Phelps (1-2) to take the last wicket as the hosts were dismissed in the 38th over for 122.
Rockhampton progress to the next round on Sunday, May 17 where they will travel to either Kingsholm or Apperley.