LIAM Tucker’s honeymoon start as Swindon captain continued on Saturday as his side edged past Rockhampton in Glos/Wilts One.
John Baden and Adam Tribbick spearheaded a perfectly-timed run chase as Swindon passed Rockhampton’a 210-9 with four balls to spare.
George Rigali continued his fine form with the ball, finding swing and seam movement early on to reduce the hosts to 40-3, but Will Tyler and Rowan Cartlidge steadied the ship for Rockhampton.
The pair put on the best part of 100 before Tyler nicked Matthew Gumm to Andrew Staff behind the stumps for 45.
And when Cartlidge was comprehensively cleaned up by another vicious Rigali delivery for 55, Swindon had broken the back of the home side’s resistance.
Rigali bowled James Pearce to end up with figures of 4-56 from 12 overs, delighting Tucker in the process.
“He really has been the find of our season so far,” said Tucker.
“Last year we saw what he could do in glimpses but he’s settled in and started really well.
“Hopefully he can just keep going because he’s been bowling brilliantly.”
With a required run rate of a little over four an over the target for Swindon, the cheap dismissals of Jonathan Sore, Marc Williamson and Tucker himself threatened to unbalance the chase.
But Baden and Tribbick had other ideas, both settling down into a rhythm and methodically accumulating runs through the middle of the innings before Baden let loose, smashing 12 boundaries and a maximum in his 74 from 91 balls.
Whilst Baden picked up the pace at one end, Tribbick consolidated at the other on his way to 62 not out as the duo took Swindon to within touching distance of the win.
And whilst three quick wickets disrupted the flow of the innings, and prolonged victory into the final over, Tucker insisted he was never too worried about the end result.
“With four balls to spare it was getting a little close, but it was a well-paced run chase in the end,” he said.
“Losing the early wickets was a little nervy but then we settled down and Adam and John have won it for us really.
“It was difficult to start with with the ball moving around, but those who took their time got their results.”
It was Tucker’s third taste of victory in three completed games in his new role, but far from revelling in personal success, the County Ground skipper sounded out several of his players for particular praise.
“Everyone is chipping in and playing a role in this,” he said.
“The boys are making it pretty easy for me, but we have to keep this going as we have some pretty tricky fixtures coming in the next two or three weeks.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here