ROCKHAMPTON threw the form book out of the window as they beat league leaders Biddestone at the Boundary Field.

Upon winning the toss, the visitors had no hesitation in opting to bat first on a hard wicket under blue skies. The opening batsmen saw off the new ball with relatively few scares, although Will Cartlidge (0-53) and Chris Pearce (0-25) bowled with good accuracy, meaning runs were not flowing easily.

Matt Tyler brought himself on to bowl, and removed both openers to swing the momentum in Rockhampton’s favour.

However, the key point in the innings came when the dangerous Perry, who was already looking in ominously good form, was run out by Pearce for 24 after a mix-up with new overseas signing Bordoloi.

The new arrival was then involved in two further run outs after good fielding from Rowan Cartlidge and Simon Hore, with the former removing the big hitting Khan for 27.

Matt Tyler (14-0-65-4) picked up a further two wickets in an excellent spell of bowling, and James Hancox (15-1-70-1) was rewarded for his long spell by clean bowling Flynn.

Bordoloi made 53 as Biddestone reached 217-8. Rockhampton’s reply didn’t start smoothly with both Rowan Cartlidge (2) and Will Tyler (3) being removed cheaply.

Matt Tyler continued his good form with the bat in hand, cutting and driving strongly through the offside.

He received good support from Arkell until the South African was removed for 19 by Bordoloi.

Hore then hit a fluent 42 but was smartly stumped off the bowling of Khan as he looked to stay ahead of the run rate.

In-form White then joined Tyler at the wicket and the pair guided Rockhampton past the 200 mark with a flurry of boundaries from White (45*). Tyler was finally removed for an excellent 76 to ensure a tense finish, but Will Cartlidge hit the winning boundary with an over to spare as Biddestone were left to rue an indifferent batting display which left them 30 runs short of par.

Rockhampton travel to high-flying Swindon next week.