Andover warmed up for Saturday’s top of the table Southern Premier Division 2 showdown with Hambledon by defeating Fair Oak by 94 runs – the gap between the top two being 16 points.
Andover openers Glyn Treagus (47) and talented Sam Ashman (65) complied 109 for the first wicket, setting the tone for the match. The Fair Oak attack, apart from seven overs with the new ball from Ben Smith, was exclusively spin.
The visitors then dipped to 149 for 5 as Nick Doubell and skipper Gregor McKenzie took nipped out two batters apiece. However, Nathan Birks hit 47 not out at the end of the Andover innings off just 33 balls, and with support from Steve Williams (26no) saw his side through to half-time with the momentum in the visitors’ favour.
Oaks lost their first two wickets with just 16 on the board, both to Mike Adams (3 for 20). Sam Reed (22) and Monty McKenzie (21) staged a partial recovery, but Charlie Ayers then got to work with a decisive spell of 4 for 38.
The only other Oaks batsman to reach double figures was Gregor McKenzie. He made a brisk 35 as his side subsided from 64 for 2 to 123 all out, still 94 runs short of their target.
Andover openers Glyn Treagus (47) and talented Sam Ashman (65) complied 109 for the first wicket, setting the tone for the match. The Fair Oak attack, apart from seven overs with the new ball from Ben Smith, was exclusively spin.
The visitors then dipped to 149 for 5 as Nick Doubell and skipper Gregor McKenzie took nipped out two batters apiece. However, Nathan Birks hit 47 not out at the end of the Andover innings off just 33 balls, and with support from Steve Williams (26no) saw his side through to half-time with the momentum in the visitors’ favour.
Oaks lost their first two wickets with just 16 on the board, both to Mike Adams (3 for 20). Sam Reed (22) and Monty McKenzie (21) staged a partial recovery, but Charlie Ayers then got to work with a decisive spell of 4 for 38.
The only other Oaks batsman to reach double figures was Gregor McKenzie. He made a brisk 35 as his side subsided from 64 for 2 to 123 all out, still 94 runs short of their target.
The wheels came spinning off Old Tauntonians & Romsey’s promotion bid, with a crushing 139-run defeat by Bashley Rydal’s second team a serious setback.
OTs are 20 points adrift of Andover in the chase for the second promotion spot after Bashley piled up 265-6 against them.
With players back from university Bashley IIs are a different animal now, with Exeter chemistry student James Turner (101) featuring in two hefty stands, initially with Finn Gordon (38) and then twin brother Alex (53).
Shell shocked OTs sank to 126 all out in reply, Rob Newman adding 43 to his earlier 3-41return with the ball. But, as skipper Charlie King points out, all is not lost in OTs’ promotion challenge.
“Andover play leaders Hambledon on Saturday and if they lose, we’re right back in it,” he says.
Fawley need a miracle if they are to avoid the drop. They are 39 points adrift of the nearest safety rung after a top order collapse sent them spinning to 38-6 after St Cross Symondians II had put them into bat at the Green Jackets.
Callum Earl (36) and West Indian Trishwan Francis (29) rallied, but 137 was comfortably chased down by James Burridge (40*), Steven Hirst (37) and the promising Raj Naik (30).
OTs are 20 points adrift of Andover in the chase for the second promotion spot after Bashley piled up 265-6 against them.
With players back from university Bashley IIs are a different animal now, with Exeter chemistry student James Turner (101) featuring in two hefty stands, initially with Finn Gordon (38) and then twin brother Alex (53).
Shell shocked OTs sank to 126 all out in reply, Rob Newman adding 43 to his earlier 3-41return with the ball. But, as skipper Charlie King points out, all is not lost in OTs’ promotion challenge.
“Andover play leaders Hambledon on Saturday and if they lose, we’re right back in it,” he says.
Fawley need a miracle if they are to avoid the drop. They are 39 points adrift of the nearest safety rung after a top order collapse sent them spinning to 38-6 after St Cross Symondians II had put them into bat at the Green Jackets.
Callum Earl (36) and West Indian Trishwan Francis (29) rallied, but 137 was comfortably chased down by James Burridge (40*), Steven Hirst (37) and the promising Raj Naik (30).