Andover jumped to second in the Southern Premier Division 2 table with a resounding 42- run win over Test Valley rivals OTs & Romsey.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first at the Romsey Sports Centre, skipper Matt Hooper’s faith was rewarded with a 100-run opening partnership from Ali ‘Iron Man’ Hooper (40) and Glyn Treagus (48).
On a tricky, bowler-friendly pitch, the pair nudged the ball into gaps nicely, picking off the bad ball when it came along.
After falling in quick succession, both caught off the bowling of leg-spinner Joe Vaughan, Hampshire’s Lewis McManus (26) took over the run-scoring responsibilities before being bowled by one that kept low. A flurry of wickets followed while Andover tried to up the pace and pile on a big score.
A useful 40-run partnership between Matt Hooper (27) and Matt Knight (31) in the final overs, plus a few lusty blows from the tail, ensured a healthy 210 total was posted in just shy of 50 overs.
Mike Adams being the final man to fall, caught going for a big one at long on, as the town side used all but one of their balls in the first innings.
OTs produced a steady start, seeing off the tight opening attack of Mike Adams and Babu Veettil. However, the 55-run open partnership was ended by a superb piece of fielding by Charlie Ayers who ran out Vaughan for 16. Veteran seamer Richard Taylor then trapped Steve Smith lbw and OTs were in need of a big score from one of their top six.
Opener Elliot Mitchell-Lee (38) batted manfully before Taylor removed him thanks to a fine catch from Veettil at mid-wicket.
The procession of wickets then flowed as spinners Ayers and Hooper were introduced. The leg spinner returned the best figures of the day, ripping out two wickets for just 19 runs off his 10 overs.
Needing over 100 runs off the final tenovers, the game was all but complete. Hooper juggled his bowlers, trying to prize out all 10 wickets, but only managed to pick up nine thanks to some resolute defence from the OTs tail. Adams, Aidan Jansen, Hooper and Treagus all claimed a wicket apiece, leaving the hosts stranded on 169-9 off their allotted 50 overs.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first at the Romsey Sports Centre, skipper Matt Hooper’s faith was rewarded with a 100-run opening partnership from Ali ‘Iron Man’ Hooper (40) and Glyn Treagus (48).
On a tricky, bowler-friendly pitch, the pair nudged the ball into gaps nicely, picking off the bad ball when it came along.
After falling in quick succession, both caught off the bowling of leg-spinner Joe Vaughan, Hampshire’s Lewis McManus (26) took over the run-scoring responsibilities before being bowled by one that kept low. A flurry of wickets followed while Andover tried to up the pace and pile on a big score.
A useful 40-run partnership between Matt Hooper (27) and Matt Knight (31) in the final overs, plus a few lusty blows from the tail, ensured a healthy 210 total was posted in just shy of 50 overs.
Mike Adams being the final man to fall, caught going for a big one at long on, as the town side used all but one of their balls in the first innings.
OTs produced a steady start, seeing off the tight opening attack of Mike Adams and Babu Veettil. However, the 55-run open partnership was ended by a superb piece of fielding by Charlie Ayers who ran out Vaughan for 16. Veteran seamer Richard Taylor then trapped Steve Smith lbw and OTs were in need of a big score from one of their top six.
Opener Elliot Mitchell-Lee (38) batted manfully before Taylor removed him thanks to a fine catch from Veettil at mid-wicket.
The procession of wickets then flowed as spinners Ayers and Hooper were introduced. The leg spinner returned the best figures of the day, ripping out two wickets for just 19 runs off his 10 overs.
Needing over 100 runs off the final tenovers, the game was all but complete. Hooper juggled his bowlers, trying to prize out all 10 wickets, but only managed to pick up nine thanks to some resolute defence from the OTs tail. Adams, Aidan Jansen, Hooper and Treagus all claimed a wicket apiece, leaving the hosts stranded on 169-9 off their allotted 50 overs.