Kneller sets up intriguing title battle

ROSS KNELLER turned in an outstanding individual performance as he almost single-handedly inflicted Rovers' first defeat of the Evening League Division One season.

St Saviour's had slipped to 36 for four early on at Port Soif on Friday with Rob Turville claiming three wickets for the hosts while Lee Savident was typically economical at the other end.

But Kneller went about his business at the other end, having come in at first wicket down, and made an excellent 86, including 12 boundaries against a weakened attack missing captain Stuart Bisson and Tim Duke, among others.

Wicketkeeper batsman Matt Thornton was the one to provide Kneller with much-needed support with an unbeaten 43 and they put on 112 for the fifth wicket before Aaron Scoones ended the number three's impressive knock.

Much depended on stand-in skipper Savident as Rovers replied to the opposition's 164 and he raced to a half-century but there was little support coming from the other end.

When the island all-rounder went for 52 - one of Kneller's three victims with his off spin - Rovers' chances went with him as the league leaders slipped to a 36-run defeat.