ANDOVER Cricket Club returned to winning ways with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Southern Premier League Division One strugglers Totton and Eling on Saturday.

The London Road side went into the game hoping to bounce back from an away defeat to Hook and did so in style, easily brushing aside their opponents thanks to a strong performance from their bowling attack.

Andover captain Matt Hooper sent the visitors out to bat after winning the toss and challenged his bowlers to make the most of the slightly damp conditions.

Opening pair Mike Adams and Babu Veetil did exactly that, pinning down their opponents with some quick and accurate bowling.

Adams (2-21) was the first to strike when he caught out Edward Moore with the slower ball and the opening batsman chipped the ball to Martin Roberts at mid-wicket for an easy catch.

Totton managed just 20 runs from the opening 10 overs but remained with nine wickets still intact.

However Hooper’s decision to introduce spinners Glyn Treagus and Danny Foy turned the game quickly as the visitors’ wickets began to tumble.

Treagus (1-17) snatched the wicket of opener Jack Mellet after a catch from Max Romer-Lee while pick of the bowlers Foy (3-20) landed three quick dismissals.

A mix-up between the batsmen resulted in a run-out courtesy of James O’Gorman, leaving Totton reeling at 54-6 at the half-way stage of the innings.

The only resistance came from Zimbabwean Mark Mbofona who dug deep to score 54 not out.

Hooper brought himself on and Adams back into the attack and saw immediate success as the inform duo picked up three wickets between them to leave Totton on 99-9 with only 10 overs remaining.

The final pair batted very sensibly with Mbofona trying to score when possible but they struggled against an experienced attack.

Totton only managed to add an extra 26 runs, finishing on 125-9.

Confident of a win, Andover started their run chase on the front foot with Will Arnold smashing nine boundaries on his way to a solid 55.

Arnold lost his opening partner Glyn Treagus (9) after he was trapped LBW but continued to bat well alongside the ever impressive O’Gorman (49*).

With only 20 runs required to get the town side over the line, Arnold was clean bowled by Mbofona but he was ably replaced by Martin Roberts (5*) who, with O’Gorman, comfortably took Andover past the Totton total in just 25.2 overs.

The win moves Andover up to sixth in Division One with just 25 points separating them from current league leaders Portsmouth .

With a maximum points victory earning 22 points, Andover could catapult themselves up to the top end of the table and will be hoping to do so when they face fourthplaced Rowledge on Saturday.