ROWLEDGE faltered in their push for promotion with defeat at the hands of St Cross 2nd XI in the Southern Premier League Division Two.

Inserted on what looked a pretty good wicket at the New Ground, Rowledge made slow progress and lost wickets steadily to a combination of excellent bowling by Jamie Cork and Jamie Aldridge and nervy batting.

At 57-4, it was time for Rowledge to regroup and concentrate on posting a score that their proven bowling attack might be able to defend.

Sam Moseley and David Lloyd stepped up with a stand of 46 for the fifth wicket. When Lloyd was adjudged lbw for 31, Moseley and some dogged batting from the lower order got the visitors up to 172-9 from the 50 overs, Moseley being the last wicket to fall for 50.

St Cross also began sluggishly and Rowledge were buoyed by the early departure of opener Jason Laney, bowled by Jake Wish, and when Ollie Baker struck just before the drinks break, the game was in the balance.

However, a gritty partnership between opener Paul Hawkins (49) and Robert Hatfield (50) took the game away from Rowledge and the Winchester side chased down their target with four overs and four wickets in hand.

Rowledge visit Trojans this Saturday.