Cricket: Rockhampton fall short despite White half century (From Gazette Series)

Glos/Wilts Division 1st XI: Wootton Bassett (233-6) beat Rockhampton (123) by 110 runs

10:12am Thursday 20th August 2009 in Sport

ROCKHAMPTON suffered an unlikely heavy defeat against bottom side Wootton Bassett on Saturday.

Richard Jones took the early wicket of Ali Wood (0) to get Rockhampton off to a flying start after they opted to bowl first, but other opening batsman, Sam Lawro , helped Wootton to a good score with 85.

Charles Turrell took 3-73, while Will Cartlidge and Jones picked up one wicket apiece.

The Rams got off to a terrible start in their reply as they fell to 25-5 but Jeremy White restored some pride with 50. Captain Matt Tyler was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 11.

Rockhampton host Glos City Winget on Saturday.

Glos/Wilts Division 2nd XI Wotton Bassett (165-4) beat Rockhampton (164) by six wickets

A defiant and quite brutal 39-ball maiden 50 from Rockhampton’s Chris Pearce lit up an otherwise disappointing afternoon for the home side who were comfortably beaten.

Having lost the toss, the Rams slumped to 73-8 as Kingsbury tore through the top order on his way to a five-wicket haul at the expense of just 35 runs in 13 overs.

Jimmy Cooke had fought his way to a resilient 40 from 89 deliveries whilst he watched six wickets fall at the other end.

However, Pearce smashed three sixes, one over the sightscreen and into the neighbouring field, and added four other boundaries in his 50 before he was well caught at mid-on with the innings closing on 164, the Rams having added 91 for the last two wickets.

Pearce continued to enjoy his afternoon by picking up 2-32 from eight overs. Cooke collected a safe catch at cover for the first wicket and Pearce bowled Thomas for his second.

Wiltshire county youngster Nick Dymoke, 15, was the star of the show though with a match-winning 83 not out that was nearly tainted when he flicked a chance to square leg where Belbin was unable to cling on.

Matt Wright picked up 2-30 in his seven overs, removing Wilson lbw for 21 and Davies caught by Fensome for 17 but Wotton Bassett cruised to victory with ten overs to spare.

MGM Stroud League Division One Rockhampton 3rds (95-0) beat Wickwar 2nds (94) by ten wickets

Rockhampton wrapped up the league title with a win over a depleted Wickwar side at The Common in their final home league game of the season.

Despite Rockhampton using six bowlers and giving all the youngsters in the side a good bowl, including 11-year-old James Dryden making his senior debut, Wickwar never looked likely to pose a challenging total and were eventually dismissed for a very disappointing 94.

Veteran Mike Fletcher led the way with 3-18 and there were also wickets for Matt Taylor (2-12), Rob Gill (1-23), Andy Smart (1-16) and Tom Cullimore (1-6).

Rockhampton looked completely comfortable, especially Stuart Smart who led the way with an excellent 64 not out. He was well supported by Paul Williams with 24 not out as the home side wrapped up a very comfortable 10 wicket win with over 20 overs to spare.

With promotion to the Premier Division already assured several weeks before, Rockhampton were confirmed champions with two weekends of the season still to play.

Under the leadership of Rich Mackinnon, Rockhampton have only lost one game all season.