FOUR wickets haul from skipper Matt Hooper spun his side to nailbiting one run win at Calmore, writes MATT KNIGHT.

Nordlock sponsored Andover had looked set for defeat as Calmore required 10 runs to win with four wickets remaining, but Hooper spun away the Calmore tail to give a narrow victory.

Andover were invited to bat first on an uneven Calmore wicket.

They suffered the early setback of losing Glyn Treagus and Nathan Birks within the first six overs of the game.

Alex Ayers underlined his class with well made 32 but otherwise Andover’s top order struggled to find any fluency.

Accurate bowling from Steve Wright (2-16), Yannick De Mezieres Lepervanche (3-48) and Mark Lavelle (1-21) reduced Andover to 85-7 and hopes were fading of posting a competitive total.

However, Babu Veettil (22) and Richard Taylor (38) launched a stunning counter attack to take Andover to 159 from their 50 overs.

Calmore started solidly, reaching 30 without loss from the first 10 overs.

First change bowlers Glyn Treagus (1-24) and Aidan Jansen (1-13) removed the dangerous Ben Johns (13) and Michael Cook (21), leaving Calmore 60-2 at the halfway mark.

Charlie Ayers struck a crucial double blow removing key man James Hibberd (20) and Matt Taylor (13) to leave the game finely poised at 80-4 with 20 overs left.

Calmore rebuilt through the experienced James Manning (20) and Mark Lavelle (38). The pair put on a 45 run partnership to put Calmore firmly in the ascendency.

Andover needed something special to make the breakthrough and Nathan Birks duly delivered. After a mix up between Lavelle and Manning, Birks threw down the stumps while on his knees from 40 yards away to run out Manning.

Lavelle single handily took Calmore to within 10 runs of the Andover total, but Birks took a spectacular catch over his shoulder to remove the Calmore skipper.

Calmore were still firm favourites and required 10 runs to win of three overs with four wickets remaining.

Enter Matt Hooper, the skipper struck twice to remove Darren Vann and Steve Wright without scoring.

Mike West (12 not out) took six of the next Babu Veettil over and Calmore required four runs from the last two overs.

Matt Hooper remained icy cool and bowled both Liam Carty and Yannick De Mezieres Lepervanche to give Andover a famous victory.

Andover entertain Portsmouth at London Road on Saturday in the league and on Sunday they are in T20 Cup quarter-final action when Bashley (Rydal) are the visitors.