O’Gorman hits a ton, but Academy are too good (From Andover Advertiser)

O’Gorman hits a ton, but Academy are too good

10:51am Friday 2nd September 2011 in Cricket

Andover 1st have been relegated after crashing to a 42-run defeat at the hands of Hampshire Academy.

However, James O’Gorman hit a superb 104 and Cillie Van der Merwe 37 not out at Andover raced to 256-8.

The Academy were not to be outdone though and knocks of 141 from Jacob George and 46 from Chris Stone saw them reach 313 for 4.

n Andover 4th team finished the season on a high, winning a drawn-out battle with Hursley Park 4th on Saturday.

Andover won the toss, and batted with Alex Webber and Robbie Skeates playing some excellent shots.

Skeates (26) was judged to be LBW in the 13th over. Next man, Jack Kent played a gritty innings to get to 41 before being bowled off his pads.

As players came and went at the other end, Webber continued his dominance of Hursley’s bowlers, playing a very mature innings.

Andover finished on 242-4 with Webber carrying his bat for 119 not out.

Hursley’s reply started brightly, with S. Jones looking very aggressive against Andover’s cold bowlers.

With some uncontrolled swing and straying lines, Andover looked unsettled as Hursley raced to 44 off six overs.

Brendan Clarke made the breakthrough with a slower ball, as Jones (30) chipped to Fran Andrews at square leg.

From the other end, skipper Matt Goodman removed Matt Holden (6) and Sam Cockram (11).

Revic and Manning battened down the hatches, as Andover’s change bowlers tried to make the breakthrough in dark and chilly conditions.

The Hurley pair ground out the overs to give their team a fighting chance, but 110 runs and 25 overs later, Brendan Clarke made the breakthrough as Revic was given LBW on 35.

Manning was run out by a sharp throw from Matt Brown.

Hursley finished on 192-7. Clarke (3-44) and Goodman (3-40) did the damage for Andover, seeing their team home in the near-dark.

n Penton’s last away fixture against Andover 5ths encapsulated the highs and lows of their season. Excellent bowling from Ian Warburton (3-16) and Mark Gibbs (2-12) was supported by two smart Mark Hodgson slip catches. Andover were restricted to 112-8 despite a battling top score from captain Jay Mann. None of the Andover batsmen were comfortable on a rain affected wicket with variable bounce.

Penton’s reply was regal at 69-1. But a collapse, probably the worst of the season, then followed as Penton were all out for 94 with opening bat Mark Gibbs scoring 56.