THERE was despair for OTs & Romsey last weekend, as they suffered a narrow six-run defeat to Totton & Eling II and missed out on a chance to leapfrog their opponents in the SEPCL Division 2 table.

Romsey won the toss and decided to bowl as they looked for their second win of the season in the league and it looked a possibility as Keith Trodd caught opener Simon Ennew for 1 off Steve Smith’s bowling.

Smith then picked up his second wicket as Charlie King caught Josh Metcalfe out for 15 to leave the visitors at 47-2.

However, the runs then started to flow for Totton & Eling as Azeem Hamid and Edward Moore hit a 57 run partnership for the third wicket before the former went for 56 off the bowling of Phil Wyatt.

Moore then went for 53 off Rob Newman’s bowling before he took the wicket of Jack Mellett for 5.

Totton did manage to end on 202-5 though, as Nick Jenkin ended on 57 not out but they were restricted by a tight ten over spell from Pete Newman.

Romsey then came into bat with a target of 203 but lost opener Ieuan Wathan for 12 early on.

The home side recovered from the early set back though as Pete Newman and Charlie King built a strong partnership for the second wicket.

The boundaries were flowing as the pair both passed their half centuries. Newman was then caught out for 73 to end a 119 run partnership.

King was then caught and bowled by Mellett for 52 as runs started to dry up for Romsey with several wickets falling quickly.

Mellett was the one doing the damage, taking wickets at a regular pace to prevent Romsey from scoring any runs.

Will Edwards went for 20 as he was the only other batsman to make double figures to leave Romsey six runs short as they were bowled out for 196, with Mellett finishing with six wickets.