Rockhampton 196-9 lost to Chippenham 201-7 by five runs
ROCKHAMPTON have maintained their place at the top of the West of England Glos/Wilts division but their lead has been cut after going down to only their second defeat of the season in a top-of-the-table blockbuster against Chippenham.
It could not have been closer as Rockhampton gave it everything to overhaul Chippenham’s total but fell an agonising five runs short of their target.
Having won the toss and with rain expected, Rockhampton skipper Jack Spence elected to bowl first.
The new ball pairing of Chris Willoughby and Jamie Wakefield bowled well without luck or reward with several play and misses and edges not going to hand.
It left Chippenham were well placed at 50-0 off the first ten overs at a good five-an-over run rate.
The introduction of spinner Chris Perry immediately slowed the visiting batsmen down and his patience was rewarded when Matt Tyler took a smart catch in the covers.
Heavy rain arrived with the score on 58-1 off 16 overs and the delay was long enough to see the match reduced to 42 overs per side.
Following the break, Chippenham progressed to 130-1 with little alarm, despite a great spell from Willoughby of 0-32 off his nine overs.
Normally a quick bowler, Michael Beard was asked to bowl some spin and the gamble immediately paid off as he struck in each of his first two overs and, in tandem with James Hancox (2-29), wickets fell regularly, putting thoughts of a 250 or above score to bed.
Beard was soon at it again and found himself on a hat-trick when he took a smart caught and bowled, ending with figures of 4-36.
Some late hitting from Chippenham allowed them to post 201-7.
The Rockhampton response got off to a terrible start when Jamie Wakefield drove one straight into the point fielders hands without scoring.
Beard and Will Tyler were both passed 20 and looked comfortable before Beard was caught at point and Tyler was out lbw.
The score soon became 80-4 when Tyler was caught at mid-wicket for 15. Spence and Chris Perry set about re-building the innings with some watchful batting.
The pair put on 40 before Spence fell for 20 to leave Rockhampton needing 80 from the final 14 overs with five wickets in hand.
The next five overs ultimately won Chippenham the game with some excellent bowling and fielding allowing Perry and Rob Belbin to only add nine runs.
The scenario suddenly became 70 needed off nine overs.
And despite some lusty blows and good running from the lower order, in particular Perry (47) and Dave McCabe (23 not out), Rockhampton fell five runs short.
All three top teams play all three bottom teams this weekend – in order.
Rockhampton face a visit to bottom-placed Apperley on Saturday (1pm start) to play a side who have not won a league game all season.
Second-placed Warminster, meanwhile, are home to Tewkesbury,, who are just below Apperley in the relegation zone, while Chippenham, in third, are also at home to Biddestone who are one place above Tewkesbury.