Newest 1st XI beat Rockhampton 2nd XI by 7 wickets

ROCKHAMPTON seconds lost their uneaten record for the 2017 season as they were well beaten at Newent on Saturday.

Rockhampton captain Alastair Douds won the toss and elected to bat on a decent looking track in bright sunshine.

Newent opening bowling Steve Brookes found extra bounce in his first over to have Jerry White caught behind for 1. He then removed Harry Collins and James Dryden to leave Rockhampton in trouble at 23/3. Simon Hore and Nigel Hopkins rebuilt for the Rams with Hore in particular looking in good form.

With the score on 79 Hore feathered a catch behind off Wood for an excellent 44, signalling another mini collapse. Matt Taylor, Will Brisco and Sam Long all fell cheaply, and when Hopkins was caught for 30 the Rams were firmly up against it.

Newest skipper Alex Grey taking a contender for catch of the season to remove the unfortunate Long. Douds, James Hancox and Chris Pearce attempted to bat out the overs to give Rockhampton some respectability but eventually the Rams were all out for 137 in 40.5 overs which looked well short of par.

Chris Pearce and Will Brisco opened the bowling for Rockhampton and both bowled with superb control and aggression constantly troubling the batsman. Pearce made the breakthrough when he nipped one back to bowl Newent opener Sillince for 14. Gray played a quality defensive innings for Newent seeing off the threat from Brisco and Pearce.

With only a low total to defend, Douds was forced to bowl out his two strike bowlers in a attempt to pick up wickets. Brisco was able to bounce out Gray as White took the chance at slip, but Gray had made 50 and effectively taken the game away from the Rams.

Long removed Morley caught by Douds at backward point, but Rockhampton were unable to take any more wickets despite some tight bowling from Taylor, Long, Hancox and Collins. Newest reached the winning total with 3 wickets down in 37.2 overs.

With league leaders Woodpeckers also losing, the defeat keeps the Rams in 2nd place in Gloucestershire County League 3. Next week Rockhampton will look to return to winning ways with a home game against Slaughters.