Andover Cricket Club First XI, sponsored by Nordlock, were inspired by a stunning Glyn Treagus unbeaten century to give themselves a slim chance of surviving relegation from the Southern Premier League division one.

Andover beat Calmore Sports in a battle at the basement in their last game at their London Road ground and now need to win both of their last two games to have any chance of survival.

Andover skipper Ollie Banks-Williams lost the toss and unsurprisingly Calmore chose to bat first on a hot day and a very good looking pitch.

Calmore started slowly against the accuracy and pace of Babu Veettil (38-0) and Mike Adams (40-2), and lost their first wicket to Adams with the score on 21.

Calmore continued to creep along as Matt Hooper (45-1) and George Reynolds (42-2) were brought into the attack but they did start to wicket up as they got themselves in.

Banks-Williams, who was unable to bowl due to a back niggle, rotated his bowlers well and controlled the run rate so Calmore were always behind where they should be.

Calmore progressed to 132 before Hooper prized out his first wicket, well caught by Banks-Williams, and both teams were in a good position.

However, the new batsman for Calmore knew they had to score pretty quickly and this gave Andover chances to take more wickets, thus slowing the rate.

Thirty runs later ex-international off-spinner John Nyumbu (36-2) got his first wicket and it was still in the balance.

Calmore progressed past 200 but overs were running out and Adams grabbed his second with a well disguised slower ball that was sent straight up and wicket-keeper Alex Corbett took a comfortable catch.

Calmore struck some lusty blows in pursuit of late runs but Veettil produced a good bit of fielding to get a run out and Nyumbu picked up a second wicket as Calmore ended their fifty overs on 227-6.

Andover felt this was just below par on a good pitch and a fast outfield.

The Andover openers, Corbett (32) and Treagus (116*), started well with both looking strong down the ground and through the covers.

With the score on 68 Corbett fell, following a stunning cover drive that had a large crowd purring, but he had given Andover a good start.

Banks-Williams (23) joined Treagus and the runs continued to flow. Unfortunately, skipper Banks-Williams fell just as he was looking set but he had added another 60 runs with Treagus, who was really starting to motor.

The innings now was really about one person, Treagus, who was now scoring all around the ground.

A calf injury or cramp slowed the rate a little but he showed all his experience picking up runs when he could and putting away anything loose.

George Reynolds (7),  Harri Williams (14) and Nathan Birks (3) all came and went but Andover were closing in on victory thanks to Treagus. Babu Veettil promoted up the order to put the game to bed, did exactly that hitting two large sixes in a quick fire 16 and Andover were now 198-6 with 10 overs to go.

Brandon Smith (9*) joined Treagus who had now gone past his century which was well received by the bumper crowd and this pair took Andover home with four overs to go. Treagus carried is bat off to a warm ovation knowing that he had won the game for Andover and given Andover a chance of surviving relegation. 

Andover now have to win the last two and hope teams around them lose theirs. Andover travel to Rowledge and Romsey for their last two games in the Southern Premier Cricket League.

Romsey in particular are the team directly above Andover so if Andover win this Saturday and Romsey lose this would mean it will be a tense affair over at Romsey Rapids. Andover welcome back Will Berril and Aidan Jansen into the team for the trek over to Rowledge to continue the great escape.