ASTON Rowant stay off the bottom, despite having the worse of their Division 2 basement battle at Cove.

In reply to the hosts’ 246-8, Rowant finished the day battling for a draw on 194-8.

As a result, basement side Cove close to within a point of the Oxfordshire team.

Lack of penetrative bowling has been an aspect of Rowant’s games this season and it was in evidence again as they asked Cove to bat first.

Wes Morrick put in a tidy wicketless spell of ten overs, with Gordon Harris dismissing both Cove openers as they progressed to 58-2.

When their fourth wicket fell at 117, the game was in the balance.

But a fifth wicket-stand of 91 between Stanley Marissa (68) and Luke Voyce (55) took the game away from Rowant.

They eventually reached 246-8 from their 58 overs. Richard Cook took 4-55 from 11 overs, while Adam Muttitt claimed 2-94 in a 20-over spell.

Rowant needed a good start, but lost opener George Reid for a duck, while Tim Morgan and Dan Matthews also went cheaply.

Andrew Tolson made 45 before being run out, while Chris Watling, with 50 off 72 balls, and Cook (36) kept up the chase.

But none of them played the major innings required.

Long before the end, the visitors had settled for a draw which they eventually achieved with some comfort.