Andover took a big leap towards securing promotion back to Southern Premier Division 1, from which they were relegated last season, with a resounding 105 runs win against bottom side Fawley.
The victory left the Lions requiring six points from the final game of the season against Hook & Newnham Basics II to guarantee promotion alongside champions Hambledon.
Andover struggled initially, losing stand in opener Matt Hooper and Harry Blackburn before the score had reached 10. However, Sam Ashman (19) and Charlie Ayers set about repairing the early damage, grinding out a partnership amid some tight Fawley bowling.
With the score on 58, Ashman was well caught and bowled by evergreen off spinner Wayne Smith to leave the town side faltering. However key man Ayers (77), was joined by Nathan Birks (72) and together the pair batted together for 25 overs, putting on a partnership of 120 for the fourth wicket. By the time Ayers fell, Andover were on 170 with 10 overs remaining, eying up a big finish to the innings.
In the push for late runs, Andover suffered a mini collapse, losing Nathan Birks and the destructive hitters Babu Veettil, Max Souter and John Nyumbu cheaply. Gurpreet Basra was the architect of the collapse, taking three wickets and a direct hit run out. A late partnership by Matt Knight (22*) and Aidan Jansen (10*) helped Andover to achieve a total of 234 for 8.
Fawley came out all guns blazing, with Sufian Munir taking 40 off the first 5 overs, putting the pressure firmly on Andover. Nerves were beginning to jangle amongst the home supporters, until Charlie Ayers took an incredible diving one-handed catch to remove the Pakistan spin all-rounder. With the loss of their star man and tight disciplined bowling and fielding from Andover, the Fawley reply quickly lost momentum. Nymubu, Aidan Jansen, Mike Adams and Babu Veettil shared the wickets as Fawley were eventually dismissed for 129.
Former Hampshire batsman Jason Laney hit 107 to secure a five-wicket win for St Cross Symondians II at Hartley Wintney, whose promising 102-2 turned to an eventual 194 all out on the back of a superb piece of fielding and run out by Charlie Preston.
Jonny Kerr (42) and Hugo Hammond (46) engineered a decent position, but Preston's run out of Kerr sparked a three-wicket tumble for 14 runs and left Danny Nightingale (57) to steer HW to 194.
Laney dominated the show after tea, hitting two sixes and 14 fours in his stylish 107. Steve Hirst hit 27* in support as victory was achieved with best part of 10 overs to spare.
The victory left the Lions requiring six points from the final game of the season against Hook & Newnham Basics II to guarantee promotion alongside champions Hambledon.
Andover struggled initially, losing stand in opener Matt Hooper and Harry Blackburn before the score had reached 10. However, Sam Ashman (19) and Charlie Ayers set about repairing the early damage, grinding out a partnership amid some tight Fawley bowling.
With the score on 58, Ashman was well caught and bowled by evergreen off spinner Wayne Smith to leave the town side faltering. However key man Ayers (77), was joined by Nathan Birks (72) and together the pair batted together for 25 overs, putting on a partnership of 120 for the fourth wicket. By the time Ayers fell, Andover were on 170 with 10 overs remaining, eying up a big finish to the innings.
In the push for late runs, Andover suffered a mini collapse, losing Nathan Birks and the destructive hitters Babu Veettil, Max Souter and John Nyumbu cheaply. Gurpreet Basra was the architect of the collapse, taking three wickets and a direct hit run out. A late partnership by Matt Knight (22*) and Aidan Jansen (10*) helped Andover to achieve a total of 234 for 8.
Fawley came out all guns blazing, with Sufian Munir taking 40 off the first 5 overs, putting the pressure firmly on Andover. Nerves were beginning to jangle amongst the home supporters, until Charlie Ayers took an incredible diving one-handed catch to remove the Pakistan spin all-rounder. With the loss of their star man and tight disciplined bowling and fielding from Andover, the Fawley reply quickly lost momentum. Nymubu, Aidan Jansen, Mike Adams and Babu Veettil shared the wickets as Fawley were eventually dismissed for 129.
Former Hampshire batsman Jason Laney hit 107 to secure a five-wicket win for St Cross Symondians II at Hartley Wintney, whose promising 102-2 turned to an eventual 194 all out on the back of a superb piece of fielding and run out by Charlie Preston.
Jonny Kerr (42) and Hugo Hammond (46) engineered a decent position, but Preston's run out of Kerr sparked a three-wicket tumble for 14 runs and left Danny Nightingale (57) to steer HW to 194.
Laney dominated the show after tea, hitting two sixes and 14 fours in his stylish 107. Steve Hirst hit 27* in support as victory was achieved with best part of 10 overs to spare.