Gloucestershire County League Division Three

Lydney seconds v Rockhampton seconds

ROCHAMPTON seconds came out on top in a nail biting finish at Lydney to keep their one hundred per cent win record intact for the season.

Rockhampton captain Alastair Douds lost the toss and the Rams were asked to bat on a grassy looking pitch. Opener Harry Collins scored freely as Rockhampton got off to a quick start, but when he was bowled for 18 by Miller, Jeremy White and James Dryden found scoring much tougher.

The Lydney opening bowlers bowled disciplined lines and lengths and exploited a pitch which offered them some assistance. Dryden, White, Nigel Hopkins and Matt Taylor all fell cheaply and at 76 for 5 the Rams were up against it.

Wicketkeeper Rob Belbin was joined by allrounder Sam Nichols and they put together a crucial partnership of 64.

Belbin rode his luck at times but passed fifty with a pull for four and finally perished as he looked to increase the scoring rate for an excellent 57. Nichols made 34 including several of his trademark sweep shots, and some useful runs from the lower order pushed the Rams up to 177-9 off their 45 overs.

The Lydney reply got off to a slow but steady start in the face of some accurate bowling. Sam Nichols started his spell with four maidens only conceding runs off the final ball of his fifth over.

Chris Pearce supported him well at the other end, but despite their accuracy no wickets fell. James Hancox, Sam Long and Collins all bowled tight spells and the required rate was increased but at 123/0, Lydney were in strong position.

Finally a wicket fell as Evans was caught by Hopkins off Collins at mid off. Hancox returned for his second spell and immediately removed the new batsman Stone for 0. A flurry of wickets followed as Lydney began to panic. The key wicket came as opening batsman Bendall was caught fantastically by a diving Dryden at short cover for 70.

Lydney batsman Bartlett launched Pearce out of the ground for a huge six and as wickets fell at the other end it was clear he was the key man.

With two overs remaining, Lydney needed nine runs to win with 4 wickets in hand. Hancox bowled the 44th over and miraculously produced a wicket maiden, keeping the dangerous Bartlett at the non-strikers end.

With nine still needed off the final over, Nichols held his nerve and clean bowled Bartlett with the second ball of the over. He then finished the game only conceding 4 runs giving Rockhampton a four run win.

Hancox was the pick off the bowlers taking 5 for 26 off his nine overs. Nichols finished with 2 for 17 off his nine.

The win pushes Rockhampton up to second in the table as they travel to Great Rissington on Saturday.