AN impressive five-wicket haul from James Hancox sent Rockhampton on their way to victory over Lydney.
Looking to rebound the previous week’s defeat to Marshfield, Rockhampton were asked to field first on a good looking track.
Richard Jones (11-3-23-1) made an immediate breakthrough dismissing Peter Tomley caught behind for one.
Whilst Jones was swinging the ball with superb accuracy from one end, Chris Pearce (9-2-14-1) was bowling with good pace and carry from the other, and was rewarded when the dangerous Jonathan Kear skied a catch to square leg, leaving Lydney 17-2.
Left arm spinner Hancox immediately caused the batsmen trouble.
It was not long before he started picking up wickets, dismissing the patient James Legge and Josh Theobold in quick succession.
Matt Tyler was unable to replicate his recent form with the ball, but Hancox grabbed a couple more wickets to finish with figures of 11-6-16-5, before Will Cartlidge (3.4-0-7-3) ripped out the tail with his fast inswingers proving too hot to handle, leaving Lydney 96 all out.
Rockhampton began the chase in positive fashion, with both Will Tyler (22) and Rowan (12) Cartlidge finding the boundaries.
Just as Rockhampton seemed to be coasting at 27-0, Paul Morris (9-1-45-4) gave Lydney a glimmer of hope as he toppled the Rockhampton top order.
Both the openers, debutant Mike Dent (9) and Matt Tyler (1) were dismissed as Rockhampton stumbled to 51-4 before Mark Beale (23*) and Matt Belbin (19*) quashed any fears of an unlikely defeat.
The pair batted in positive fashion, regularly piercing the infield as they quickly took the game away from Lydney and Rockhampton passed the winning mark in 20.1 overs.
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