Rams unable to topple league leaders (From Gazette Series)

Rams unable to topple league leaders

2:48pm Monday 23rd June 2008 in

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Glos and Wilts 1st XI; Rockhampton (208-7) lost to Biddestone (209-6) by six wickets

ON an overcast day and with the threat of rain in the air, Rockhampton's effort at toppling league leaders Biddestone fizzled out.

Opposition skipper Kis Boulton had no hesitation in inserting the home team and as the revitalised Will Tyler struck a number of crisp boundaries early on he may have questioned the merits of his decision.

However the introduction of South African Clint Bowyer changed the momentum of the innings when he had Tyler (27) caught behind off his first ball with the score on 49.

Mark Beale (15) followed Tyler back to the pavilion after being bowled by Naem Khan, and when Rowan Cartlidge (1) was trapped in front by Bowyer the Rams were reeling at 51 for 3 off 20 overs.

Skipper Simon Hore and Jeremy White looked to rebuild the innings with a partnership of 41 before White (17), who was beginning to struggle with a groin strain, was excellently caught by the diving Mason at long on.

Hopkins (1) then gave off spinner Mark Unwin his first wicket by slapping a long hop straight down the throat of mid wicket.

After Matt Belbin (3) and Jack Spence (2) contrived to gift Unwin further wickets, Hore finally found some support in the shape of Will Cartlidge.

Having reached his fifty, Hore looked to give the Rams a defendable total and firmly pressed the accelerator and in the next 18 balls he faced, as he crashed 41 runs including 2 sixes and 4 fours.

Cartlidge (29*) got in the act as he hoisted Unwin over mid wicket for a towering six, and as Hore finished on 91 not out the pair had added 66 runs in the final six overs.

Biddestone started their innings with positive intent, and opening batsman Sawyer was granted a life when the ball bounced out the diving Tyler's hands as his elbows hit the ground to deny him a stunning catch in the covers.

Spence then took a smart catch diving forward at square leg to dismiss Sawyer off Cartlidge (5-0-21-1) which brought overseas man Bowyer to the wicket.

Bowyer and Hopkins added a composed 68 for the second wicket before Beale induced Bowyer (43) to hit the ball straight to Hancox at deep mid wicket.

Beale (10-0-58-2) then beat Hopkins in the flight to have him stumped for 39 and when the miserly Hancox (15-1-39-1) trapped Needham in front, Biddestone were teetering at 133 for 4 from 32 overs.

The game changing moment then came as a wild Khan shot resulted in a top edge off Beale only for the chance to be put down.

Khan compounded this error by battering the ball to all parts, with a destructive 59 including 12 from one Tyler over.

In the end Biddestone reached their target with ease with six overs to go, and in reflection Rockhampton were around 40 runs short on a decent wicket.

Rockhampton would like to thank Caroline and Mick Hancox for sponsoring the matchball.