NORDLOCK sponsored Andover crashed to a 60 run defeat to Portsmouth to leave them third from bottom and requiring one win from their final two outings or other results to go their way to avoid relegation, writes ALI HOOPER.

The town side started the day well, winning the toss and choosing to field first.

Portsmouth were on the ropes at 67-4 thanks to Asher Hart taking 1-20 off his 10 overs, Matt Hooper picking up two wickets and Aidan Jansen striking as well.

However, a superb 90 run partnership between captain Jack Marston (53) and Vikram Dawson (40) steadied the ship and took the home side to a handsome total.

Jansen was brought back and he soon removed Marston, well caught by Matt Hooper and Charlie Ayers ripped out Dawson to the tail to do the rest of the damage.

Ayers picked up another wicket, clean bowling Prad Bains after some lusty blows and then he ran out Andrew Marston to leave Portsmouth on an imposing 191-8 off their 50 overs.

The run-chase started badly losing Asher Hart with just three runs on the board.

A 40 run partnership between Max Romer-Lee and Glyn Treagus looked to be setting a nice platform for Andover but the pair fell in quick succession.

From that point, Andover lost wickets with regularity and never looked liked chasing down the above-par total.

The only resistance came from Josh Ballantine-Dykes who struck a gritty 35 before chipping to mid-off.

He was one of five Joseph Kooner-Evans' wickets.

The pace-man bowled a devastating spell of 5-28 to derail the Andover innings.

A late flurry from injured Ali Hooper (21) got the town an extra batting point but that was the best they could hope for.

This weekend, they are at home to Sarisbury Athletic.