ROPLEY dropped to fifth in Hampshire League County One after a comprehensive home defeat to Longparish.

The home side looked jaded after an evening of dinner and dancing and Michael Taplin (55) and Ben Gardner (33) got Longparish off to a flier.

When Jack Oxenham (3-45) made the breakthrough, the bowlers started to hit their lengths and the run-rate slowed. Fourteen-year-old Joe Austin (2-39) bowled some controlled off-spin, but Jonnie Wahid (44), dropped early in his innings, played well to get Longparish up to a competitive 225-7.

At 6-2 after four overs, it it was a long way back for the tiring hosts. Tom Wood (30) and Alex Spencer (24) rebuilt for a while and skipper Alexander Stogdon hit a quickfire 22, but at 87-5 the game looked all but over for Ropley.

Seb Newens (17) and George Wickes (17) played entertaining cameos before Ropley were bowled out for 141.