Bowman pulls the strings as Rowner go top
ROWNER leapfrogged Hayling Island at the top of division four south of the Hampshire League as they crushed their hosts by 77 runs at Hayling Park, on Saturday.
A match-winning third wicket partnership of 159 by opener Rob Bowman (101) and Lyndon Strong (76 not out) set Rowner on their way to 234 for five.
The visitors were lifted by the returning Greg Butler. Butler (three for 44) removed Hayling's two dangermen Sam Thompson and Mike Hallett with an excellent spell and Al Dicken mopped up the tail, taking four for 15.
Hayling's Thompson, who saw his side lose for the first time this year in their ninth game, said: "We didn't turn-up and basically didn't bat well enough."
The fact that extras contributed the highest amount for the hosts summed up their day after opener Neil Blackey, returning from an early season injury was run out for just five.
Mike Lever has also weighed in with valuable runs all season went for 22, as did Thompson and Hallett as the double twos became Hayling's equivalent to Australias old Nelson number.
With Hayling unable to build any momentum, James Adams' dismissal for 19 when he was stumped off the bowling of Dicken marked the end of his sides hopes of chasing down the visitors' total.
Captain for the day Graham Cottle went for 13 as the tail could only help amass 31 runs for the last six wickets.
It meant Hayling picked up just six points taking their season's total to 189 – 11 less than Rowner, who have won eight and tied their other game this season.
But crucially their unbeaten rivals have an average of 22.22 compared to Hayling's 21, although they are more than four points clear of Redlynch & Hale, who are third.
Rowner's captain Jim Kemp said: "Rob Bowman played a responsible innings having to negotiate the opening 12 overs carefully when Hayling bowled tight and swung the ball around.
"After doing that he cut loose and along with Lyndon gave us an excellent platform.
"Hayling, though, gave us the impression they could chase our score down and we weren't sure we had quite enough runs at that stage.
"It was quite comfortable in the end," added Kemp.
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Weather for Hayling
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
