ANDY Sale hit 95 as Andover Thirds got their season off to a strong start with a dominant 108 run win over Sherfield-on-Loddon.

The batsman put on a magnificent opening partnership of 166 with Andy McMahon (54) to help Andover ease past their opponents on a sunny day at London Road.

New captain Ryan Ward, who will be hoping to pull his side back in the County Division after last year’s disappointing relegation, lost the toss and Andover were subsequently put in to bat.

However Sale and McMahon’s terrific first wicket stand eased the early pressure.

After Sale departed agonisingly close to a century on 95, Alex Aldridge(55no) came to the crease and scored a superb half century supported by Olly Dykes(14) to get Andover over the line on 264 with the loss of only two wickets.

The bowling was opened by captain Ward(1-33) and the day’s pick of the bowlers Goodman(3-20).

The opening pair restricted the experienced Sherfield with the run rate increasing every over.

Meanwhile wickets from Angus Mcmahon(1-19) and Olly Crouch (1- 17) helped contain Shefield’s score to 153, meaning Andover finished the day as 108 run winners.

They now make the short journey to local rivals Amport 2’s as they look to continue their promotion push.

Meanwhile Dauntseys school prospect Max Romer-Lee will make his Southern Premier League debut for Andover against Bournemouth at London Road on Saturday after impressing selectors with a fine knock in the seconds’ defeat by United Services.

The teenager scored 69 out of Andover’s 230 but was unable to spare Andover IIs from a 70-run defeat in their opening Hampshire League match.

Andover were one of the three sides to beat US last term, but any prospect of a repeat effectively disappeared when import Matt Rogers (154) and Tom May (66) pointed US towards a formidable 300-4.