LIPHOOK and Rowledge both failed to reach the last 16 of the National Village Cup in their fifth-round matches on Sunday.

Out-of-sorts Rowledge lost to Sussex Group winners Mayfield by 107 runs, while George Neave’s last-ball six took Liphook to within two runs of victory in a thriller at Ripsley Park.

The unavailability of key players probably cost Liphook, but the high-scoring encounter with former finalists Rockhampton still provided excellent entertainment for a large crowd.

This was the first national round of the competition and the Gloucestershire side, inserted by Giles Cover, impressed with the bat.

Left-handers Guy Brothwood (58) and Matt Tyler (50) set the pace and brother Will Tyler top-scored with 68 before being run out.

Hard hitting, early dropped catches and speed between the wickets were key as Rockhampton reached an imposing 211-8 in their 40 overs.

Off-spinner Harry Munt (4-51) dismissed four of the first six batsmen, but not before Rockhampton had powered to 188 with 12 overs to go and five wickets intact.

Liphook then did well to restrict their opponents to a mere 23 additional runs. But the home side still faced a daunting task.

Suman Ganguly, this time opening, led the run-chase with yet another prodigious innings and Liphook always had a chance while he was there. Partners came and went until Grant Rouse joined him in a stand of 59.

At 139, Ganguly was sixth man out for 90, caught and bowled by left-arm spinner James Hancox. He hit six fours and five towering sixes and was applauded all the way back to the pavilion by both West Country and home club supporters.

Even without Ganguly, Liphook continued the chase and Gabe Broadhurst (25 not out) and Wrenn (22) brought the target in sight.

Eventually, Liphook required 14 to win off the last over, to be bowled by Brothwood. Broadhurst took a single and George Neave hit a two and a four, but a dot on the fifth meant that Rockhampton had squeezed home.

Neave smashed a consolation straight six off the last ball, leaving Liphook an agonising one run behind on 210-8.

ROCKHAMPTON 211-8 (W Tyler 68, G Brothwood 58, M Tyler 50; H Munt 4-51).

LIPHOOK 210-8 (S Ganguly 90, G Broadhurst 25 not out, D Wrenn 22, G Rouse 20, G Neave 16 not out; J Hancox 2-49, G Brothwood 2-64).

At the Recreation Ground, Rowledge were up against a strong Mayfield side. Rowledge, Lord’s finalists back in 1985, restricted the visitors to what seemed a gettable 177-8 Young opener Harrison Tagg made a fine 51, while the ever-reliable Chris Yates Snr took 3-15 in eight overs. Joe Randall also bowled well for his 3-37 in eight overs.

Rowledge’s challenge never took off on a deteriorating surface. Jack Skinner ripped through the batting with 5-26 in eight overs and only Jake Wish and Sam Marshall (19 off 39 balls) scraped into double figures as Rowledge were skittled out for 70 in 21.1 overs.

MAYFIELD 177-8 (H Tagg 51, S Jervis 29 not out, R Sharma 21; C Yates Snr 3-15, J Randall 3-37).

ROWLEDGE 70 (S Marshall 19; J Skinner 5-26).