The Rs repeat last season's form as they fall at the last fence yet again. 

Rowington began their 2011 campaign on Saturday and entertained Aston Unity in a pre-season friendly.

Electing to bat, Unity struggled to get runs, particularly off the evergreen Steve Jay who looked like he'd never been away as he bowled five consecutive maidens before grabbing the first wicket of Madson (15). Sturmey constantly played and missed as Jay became the king of swing for a day! Broughton came in and managed a brisk 19 before falling to skipper Scott Rogers. Blakemore joined Sturmey and they punished any short balls before Danny Chinn came back to take out Sturmey for 63. Leon Clarke and Stewart Jordan turned their arm over but got little joy as Blakemore passed his 50. Matt Andrews came on but didn't last long with 13 going off his two overs and the Unity boys ended with a respectable but gettable 169 - 3.

Jay 6-5-4-1, Chinn 8-1-45-1, Rogers 8-2-56-1, with Clarke and Jordan going for 25 and 22 respectively off their 8 overs each.

In reply Alex Smith only lasted two balls as he cut one straight to the fielder at point off Peel. A svelte looking Clive Haywood was joined by Rogers and they rushed the score up to 52 before Rogers (32) was caught on the boundary. Haywood continued and, with Stewart Jordan clubbing anything short, the score had passed the 100 mark when Jordan (26) went for one big one too many and was bowled by Peel. A mini collapse saw the R's go from 106-3 to 162-7 when the mainstay of the team, Haywood, went caught and bowled to McCarty for a fine and  patient 46. The Rs needed 8 off two overs with Andrews and keeper Naz Nazir the last two at the crease. As Rowington only had ten men Aston needed a wicket and as we went into the last over 7 was needed. A quick single from Nazir saw Andrews take the strike, 6 needed, a big swoosh by Andrews saw his middle stump fly out of the ground and Aston had done it, winning by 5 runs.

Peel 7-0-27-2, T Broughton 3-1-6-3 and Harris 8-0-38-2 the main wicket takers.

Steve Jay