Seventeen wickets fell for 146 runs at Church Road before Andover's Babu Veetil [above] smashed a quick-fire 29 to clinch a thrilling victory for the promotion chasing Lions over Rowledge, who had won their previous three Southern Premier Division 1 games.
Andover were 53-7 when Veetil arrived at the crease with Rowledge eyeing an improbable victory, even though they had mustered only 93.
Trimmed to 37 overs per side due to a two-hour weather delay, Rowledge quickly lost their two M & Ms (Martin and Marshall) without scoring and lurched to 32-5 (Veetil 2-4 off seven overs) as the Andover seamers, exploiting swing and movement, made full use of the humid conditions.
Durham University scientific guru Zach LeReux [18] partially solved the theories with a resolute knock and, with fellow DU student Will Ryman (13) alongside, the IQ level soared, if not the total, though not for the want of trying in difficult circumstances. With Josh Banks-Williams taking 3-18, Rowledge lurched to 57-7.
Once again Ollie Baker (18*) dug in and fought hard, helping the Rowledge score to 93. It did not look nearly enough to trouble the promotion chasing visitors but, as always, the home side were up for the challenge and went out after tea with a positive and encouraging attitude.
At 48-1 and Glyn Treagus (27) seemingly set, Andover looked well on top, but as astonishing collapse, initiated by Aussie spinner Connor Cook (4-24), saw six wickets fall for five runs and the Lions to 53-7.
Remarkably, the game was there to be won for Rowledge, but they spilled five catches ! Babu Veettil joined Nathan Birks and the pair decided attack was the best form of defence and went on a run spree with big hitting. Two sixes (off consecutive Cook deliveries) and three boundaries saw the visitors home with plenty of overs to spare.
Sarisbury Athletic, whom Andover visit this Saturday, chased down a reduced target of 168 off 42 overs to beat Voneus Broadband Village Cup quarter-finalists Hook & Newnham Basics by eight wickets at the KGV.
Harry Warner (69) top scored in Hook's 183-6, but an unbeaten 86 by Tom Morton (three sixes and ten fours), aided by Jaidel Richardson's 31 not out, swept Sarisbury home.
An undefeated 52 by Ben Duggan, supported by Fraser Hay's 42, guided Portsmouth into a strong position at 105-2 as they challenged Calmore Sports' 170-8 (Ben Johns 46). But then it rained.
Andover were 53-7 when Veetil arrived at the crease with Rowledge eyeing an improbable victory, even though they had mustered only 93.
Trimmed to 37 overs per side due to a two-hour weather delay, Rowledge quickly lost their two M & Ms (Martin and Marshall) without scoring and lurched to 32-5 (Veetil 2-4 off seven overs) as the Andover seamers, exploiting swing and movement, made full use of the humid conditions.
Durham University scientific guru Zach LeReux [18] partially solved the theories with a resolute knock and, with fellow DU student Will Ryman (13) alongside, the IQ level soared, if not the total, though not for the want of trying in difficult circumstances. With Josh Banks-Williams taking 3-18, Rowledge lurched to 57-7.
Once again Ollie Baker (18*) dug in and fought hard, helping the Rowledge score to 93. It did not look nearly enough to trouble the promotion chasing visitors but, as always, the home side were up for the challenge and went out after tea with a positive and encouraging attitude.
At 48-1 and Glyn Treagus (27) seemingly set, Andover looked well on top, but as astonishing collapse, initiated by Aussie spinner Connor Cook (4-24), saw six wickets fall for five runs and the Lions to 53-7.
Remarkably, the game was there to be won for Rowledge, but they spilled five catches ! Babu Veettil joined Nathan Birks and the pair decided attack was the best form of defence and went on a run spree with big hitting. Two sixes (off consecutive Cook deliveries) and three boundaries saw the visitors home with plenty of overs to spare.
Sarisbury Athletic, whom Andover visit this Saturday, chased down a reduced target of 168 off 42 overs to beat Voneus Broadband Village Cup quarter-finalists Hook & Newnham Basics by eight wickets at the KGV.
Harry Warner (69) top scored in Hook's 183-6, but an unbeaten 86 by Tom Morton (three sixes and ten fours), aided by Jaidel Richardson's 31 not out, swept Sarisbury home.
An undefeated 52 by Ben Duggan, supported by Fraser Hay's 42, guided Portsmouth into a strong position at 105-2 as they challenged Calmore Sports' 170-8 (Ben Johns 46). But then it rained.
