ROCKHAMPTON made the journey to fellow West of England Premier League Prem 2 Glos/Wilts strugglers Trowbridge looking to kick-start their season after a disappointing run of results to begin their summer.

Having been asked to bat by the home captain in overcast conditions, Rockhampton openers Matt and Will Tyler made a solid start as the Rams looked to post a sizeable score.

Will Tyler in particular looked fluent with a couple of elegant drives, but fell for 16 as he looked to accelerate the scoring rate. Stand-in captain Guy Brothwood (13) joined M Tyler (16) at the crease and also looked in good touch. However, when they both fell in quick succession, Rockhampton ‘s batting slumped from 52-1 to 98-9 in the face of tight bowling from the Trowbridge attack. Only a last wicket partnership of 27 from Nichols (14) and Hancox (18*), taking Rockhampton to 125 all out, gave the Rams a glimmer of hope at the halfway point.

Trowbridge made a fast start in their run chase with Cookson (18) and Evans (29) looking to be positive in the face of a modest total to chase. However a tight spell of bowling from Nichols and Hancox dragged the run rate back and increased the pressure on home side. This pressure told as the excellent Nichols (3-22) struck with 3 quick wickets and W Tyler picked up a run out to leave Trowbridge 63-4. But from there the game quickly went away from Rockhampton as they were left to rue a number of dropped catches in the face of aggressive hitting from Carroll (40) and Veal (21*) with Trowbridge completing the chase with only 5 wickets down.

Rockhampton host Wiltshire side Lechlade this week looking for a change of fortune after a disappointing May.