NORDLOCK sponsored Andover 1st XI made the trip to fourth placed Sarisbury looking to build on their convincing win over Portsmouth the previous week, but it was not to be as they fell to a four wicket loss.

The day started well when skipper Matt Hooper won the toss yet again and elected to bat first on a hard pitch and hot day.

The innings started badly though when they lost Ali Hooper, Andrew Duckworth and Glyn Treagus in quick succession.

At 28-3, Andover needed a rebuild from in-form Asher Hart and Will Arnold.

The pair added 105 in a superb partnership strewn with boundaries.

Hart blazed 12 fours and one six in his 74 and was well supported by Arnold who hit six fours in his 53 runs, his first half century of the summer.

When Hart fell, caught on the ropes off Jewell, and Arnold soon followed, it was left to captain Hooper to try and steer his troops to a respectable score.

He added 33 valuable runs and was well supported by Matt Knight (10) and Mike Adams (15 not out) but couldn't prevent his side being hurried out with three overs remaining.

The total of 209 seemed competitive on a tricky pitch but with a lightening outfield and talented batting line up, it was always going to be tough to defend.

The Sarisbury run-chase started positively with captain Ricky Rawlins hitting the first two balls to the boundary and run-rate was never an issue for them from that point.

Wickets were always going to be key and Andover did well to pick up the top three with just 46 on the board.

Mike Adams ripped out the opening pair, trapping Rawlins leg before and finding the edge of Clouting, well caught at first slip by Hart.

The introduction of Aidan Jansen proved a great move from Hooper as he bowled the spell of his first XI career so far.

The left-arm over seamer moved the ball in all directions and constantly asked questions in his ten over spell. He picked up three wickets for his efforts, catching the edge of Dunn, caught by Matt Knight, and Nightingale and Ireland, caught by slip Ali Hooper, and finished with figures of 3-26 off his 10 overs.

The best bowling figures on show all day and well deserved.

However, Sarisbury were not done with the run-chase at 132-6 and Josh Hill, supported by Jordan Wright, did a masterful job in guiding their side over the line.

Their partnership of 80 runs proved crucial and was the difference between the two sides. Hill finished the job on 70 not out, hitting a straight six to win the game with 10 overs remaining and six wickets down.

Andover host Hook and Newnham Basics at London Road on Saturday, where they will look to get back to winning ways.