Rockhampton remain in the bottom two after falling to defeat at Goatacre.

With overcast skies and a damp wicket, home skipper Craig Gibbens had no hesitation in inviting the Rams to bat first.

A positive start by the Rockhampton opening pair was tempered by the loss of Matt Tyler to Gibbens.

Will Tyler and Rowan Cartlidge continued to play as positively as possible in tricky conditions, with Tyler in particular looking fluent on his return from a hand injury.

An unnecessary runout cost Cartlidge his wicket before the the left-arm spin of Liam Dawson, fresh from a championship match for Hampshire, saw the middle order of Jeremy White (0), James Cooke (0) and Jack Spence (0) blown away.

On his return to the team, Mark Beale provided good support for Tyler, who was hitting his stride.

However, another mix up saw Tyler run out for 48, and when Beale was caught for 16 the end appeared near.

Some late hitting from Will Cartlidge (17) and skipper James Hancox (36) gave the travelling support something to cheer.

Rockhampton’s bowlers got off to the perfect start as Hancox (1-16) trapped B Dawson for nought.

Will Cartlidge bowled with pace, and on another day could have ripped through the top order.

Spence picked up a well deserved wicket, but this only bought in Liam Dawson (58*), who showed his class along with Kilbee (56*), as they peppered the short boundaries.

Rockhampton fought well until the end, with some excellent fielding but could do little as Goatacre coasted to victory.

The Rams travel to Biddestone next week with a full squad to select from, and will hope to start July on a high.