A batting capitulation saw Gillingham dismissed for just 29 by Great Melton B in the NCL Division Two East on Saturday.

The poor display saw another strong performance in the field wasted, with superb bowling figures of 5-43 from Charles Le Versha.

Having won the toss an elected to field, Gillingham made a quick breakthrough with Matt Smith inducing a leading edge from the second ball of the match to remove opener Loines. Liam Smith also caused problems before removing the other opener in the 12th over.

Le Versha then produced a searing yorker with his second delivery to claim the third wicket before a further wicket in both the second and third overs of the spell reduced the hosts to 41-5 as the batsmen were unable to cope with his pace.

When Jackman (1-28) removed Gray, courtesy of a superb catch from keeper Barber, Melton were in real trouble at 63-6.

Young batsmen Kannan then displayed excellent technique to deal with everything thrown at him, seeing off both returning openers as Matt Smith (1-16) and Liam Smith (1-22) completed economical spells. This period also saw an injury for Gillingham skipper Barber who took a blow on the knee keeping wicket and was forced to leave the field.

Le Versha then returned to the attack and bowled Coleman (25) to break a 41-run partnership for the seventh wicket. His haul was completed in the following over, stand-in keeper Roberts taking a sharp catch, to reduce the hosts to 114-8.

This would prove to be the last breakthrough for Gillingham though as Kannan and De Salis added 45 runs in the last eight overs. Kannan closed on an unbeaten 33 to guide his team to 159-8 from their 45 overs.

Matt Smith and Le Versha opened up and had added just three before Smith edged behind. Two wickets in the sixth over, a calamitous run-out followed by Liam Smith being cleaned up second ball, reduced Gillingham to 10-3.

Le Versha soon followed before Stevens and Barber, clearly impeded by his injury, briefly offered some resistance to add 16 for the fifth wicket. As soon as the partnership was broken the innings came to a sharp end as the last five wickets fell for just two runs.

Gillingham host early leaders Caister at Ringsfield on Saturday.