Rowledge crashed to an emphatic 94-run defeat at Ventnor on Saturday afternoon in Division One of the Southern Premier Cricket League.

Rowledge travelled to the Isle of Wight and came away with their third successive defeat after losing the toss and containing Ventnor to what looked like a reasonable target.

The opening pair of Henry Bartlett (13) and Dineth Thimdoya (42) got off to a quickfire start with 46 off the first seven overs before the introduction of overseas player Justin Felsch’s spin. Felsch (four for 33) soon put the brakes on and had three batters back in the pavilion to leave Ventnor struggling at 71 for three.

Felsch and David Lloyd made the home side work hard for every run and it looked as if Rowledge had control of the game. Ollie Baker’s left-arm spin was introduced and he continued to give the batters problems. With a couple of brilliant run outs by Ryan Littlewood Rowledge had Ventnor in trouble at 150 for eight. However, a final flurry of runs at the end of the innings by Ollie Morgan (21 not out) got the home side up to a competitive total of 185 for nine.

Morgan (four for 19) blasted through the visitors’ top order and at 41 for six there was no way back for Rowledge. First change bowler Cox (three for 21) was introduced and continued to wreak havoc among the Rowledge batters. Despite some late lower order resistance from Littlewood (33), no other Rowledge batter got into double figures and the visitors were bowled out for 91.

Rowledge’s start to the season has been tough, with the fixture list giving them games against much-fancied teams. Rowledge will have to try to bounce back on Saturday when they will host Waterlooville at the Recreation Ground (12.30pm).