Town sign off at home with fine win

2:28pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

POWELLS-sponsored Andover hosted Bashley in their final home game of the season and finished with an impressive five wicket win.

Andover found themselves in the field after skipper Roger Miller lost the toss.

Some extremely tight bowling from the skipper and Richard Taylor meant that Bashley struggled to 60-0 at the half-way stage.

Spinners Matt Hooper and Uwe Birkenstock continued the good work and pegged back the batsmen then Mark Miller was introduced and bowled well again, taking three wickets as the batsmen looked to increase the run rate. A late flurry in the final ten overs allowed Bashley, who have under-achieved this year after being tipped to finish top at the start of the season, to post a fairly competitive total of 185-5.

Andover raced away at the start with openers Ali Hooper and Mark Miller taking the game to the experienced attack.

Playing an array of shots the openers got to 60 off 12 overs before Hooper was dismissed going for yet another big shot. Miller soon followed but this made way for the in-form Birkenstock. Copleston and Atkins came and went as former Somerset leg-spinner Waller started to get on top, however, Roger Miller supported the South African star, who went on to finish with 68 not out, with some well taken quick singles and the pair took Andover within touching distance of their total when Miller was removed by left-arm paceman Neal.

It was left to Cil Van der Merwe and Birkenstock to see Andover comfortably home with five wickets in hand and five overs to spare.

A convincing win that will give Andover the confidence they need for the trip to the Rose Bowl where they face high flyers Hampshire Academy tomorrow.

ANDOVER II travelled to Bedhampton and brought a sudden and crashing end to their opponents' recent winning streak.

The home side had amassed some of the biggest scores in the league in recent weeks and it was no surprise that on winning the toss the home skipper decided to bat.

The opening pair showed aggressive intent but were kept in check by Andover's bowling and fielding efforts.

Under increasing pressure from some frugal, penetrative spells from Mike Adams, Luke Graham, Andy Hooper, Dean Woodhouse and John Foster, wickets began to tumble and Bedhampton were dismissed for just 90 in the 36th over.

The wickets were shared and what made the final total so remarkable was that it included 39 extras.

In reply, Andover lost Steve Williams early but were little troubled after that, losing just three wickets in securing the victory that consolidates fourth place in the league. Contributions came from Adams (27), Jonty Hadfield (17), Andrews (16no) and Tim Clarke (25 no).

Once again the seconds showed its all round strength in what is proving to be a successful year and will have to rise to the occasion just one more time tomorrow, as they face Fawley at home in the last game of the league campaign.

THE thirds winning streak came to an abrupt end against Sarisbury II in a game that ebbed and flowed throughout.

Skipper Andy Sale elected to bat and opened with Nick Dancer and the pair put on a solid 63 from 18 overs before Sale was dismissed trying to increase the scoring rate.

Dancer and Tim Brown then took the score on quickly to 91-1 from 22 overs, and the town side looked well placed to deliver a winning total. But not for the first time this season, the middle order was undone by spin. When Dancer was dismissed for a solid 51, the wickets started to tumble, and Andover subsided to 154 all out in spite of some brave resistance from Shawn Attwood (23).

Andover's bowlers came out fighting and had the visitors reeling at 70-6 with Martin Roberts bowling a tremendous spell of 4-34 off 12, and James Knight and Nick Dancer picking up a wicket apiece.

But then the wheels came off as they allowed their advantage to slip with an indifferent fielding display, racking up 42 extras with 31 coming in wides.

They failed to take another wicket, and Sarisbury cruised to victory.

Rest of the news from London Road in Friday's Advertiser

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