ANDOVER 4th XI suffered defeat as they hosted Old Tauntonians and Romsey 4th team on Saturday.

Skipper James Knight won the toss and chose to bat first, looking to carry on their form from the week prior.

Andover lost their skipper and the experienced Brendan Clarke early leaving them 10-2. James Bird (11) and George Patterson got Andover to 30-2 but a flurry of quick wickets left them at 45-6.

The evergreen Phil Knight (15) and Alex Blatchford took Andover up to 70, but the side were eventually bowled out for 87.

With a strong bowling side, Andover were confident of making the game close.

This was confirmed by the opening combo of Isaac James and Charlie Pugovics-Smith bowling tightly and applying pressure.

Pugovics-Smith was rewarded for a superb spell with incredible figures of 4-6 from his 6 overs.

With Romsey 24-4 the game was nearly won, but young Romsey opener Hardwick played an impressive innings to anchor the side and when he was joined by Edom (43) they combined to take Romsey to a four-wicket win.

Andover 4th XI remain in the top half of the table with a trip to Bramshaw next up.