Rowledge slipped to a 39-run defeat at home to Calmore Sports in Division One of the Southern Premier Cricket League.

The visitors were put into bat by Rowledge skipper Ben Wish. Early breakthroughs by opening bowler Max Martin (two for 21) reduced Calmore to 25 for three after ten overs.

Runs were hard to come by and the home side seemed to have the game under control with their four-man spin attack strangling the runs well.

Calmore’s overseas player Liam O’Connor then began to assert his authority and produced some fine shots.

O’Connor and Ben Fisher added 89 for the fourth wicket to turn the game around.

Fisher was caught and bowled by Richard Forbes (three for 43) for 34 and the middle order faded away, but O’Connor continued to dominate until he fell for 74.

A late flurry of runs from Steve Wright took the total to a respectable 176 on a cloudy, damp day. David Lloyd ended with figures of two for 14.

Rowledge’s reply did not start well. The early losses of Martin, Jonty Sebborn and Ricky Yates to Josh Metcalfe left the hosts on ten for three.

Ollie Baker joined Zac Le Roux and the pair tried to rebuild the innings. Although the runs dried up, both batters started to assert themselves with some good running between the wickets.

Le Roux fell for 13, but Baker started to time the ball and produced some quality shots all around the ground.

With Connor Cook and Jake Wish playing supporting roles, Baker got Rowledge to a good position. The loss of cheap wickets left Baker stranded, and he was bowled by Mark Lavelle for 73 as Rowledge were bowled out for 137.