WEPL Glos/Wilts Division

Rockhampton (128-2) beat Swindon (127) by eight wickets

DESPITE storms in nearby Thornbury, Rockhampton managed to escape the worst of it to get a full game in against in-form Swindon.

After winning the toss, Jack Spence opted to field first and that decision was immediately rewarded as the reliable opening pair of Will Cartlidge and Chris Perry both struck immediately to leave the visitors on 19-2.

This soon became 40-4 as Perry bowled his ten straight through, claiming impressive figures of 10-5-24-3, including a great catch off his own bowling.

Wickets continued to fall regularly with only Jon Sore (35) offering any resistance as Dave McCabe (3-30), James Hancox (1-23) and Guy Brothwood (2-17) all helped themselves to bowl the visitors out for a well below-par 127.

In response, Rockhampton got off to a bad start, slipping to 10-2 with Rowan Cartlidge (1) and Brothwood (0) both falling to the impressive Matthew Kidd (2-34). However, the two early wickets only resulted in the Tyler brothers being at the crease together and as they have done so often, they went about re-building the innings and put on yet another 100 partnership with Matt (35*) offering some rock solid support to the ridiculously in-form Will Tyler, who hit 12 fours and three sixes on his way to a chanceless 72 not out.

The Rams won in the 27th over, gaining 20 points and extending their lead at the top over Lechlade to five points.

Rockhampton travel to Warminster on Saturday.