Jack Lovett match winning knock
Sarisbury Athletic picked up a crucial victory in their bid to avoid Southern Premier Division 1 relegation when they defeated Rowledge by seven wickets – but Andover’s own plight wasn’t helped when rain forced an early end to their home match against Portsmouth with the Lions in a strong position.
In a match reduced to 36 overs due to the morning downpours, Portsmouth were restricted to 131-9 by the side bottom of the SPL second tier. Andover were then racing along on 66-1 in the 17th over before another cloudburst called proceedings to a halt.
It was only Portsmouth’s second cancellation/abandonment in 11 games - the joint-lowest in their division and three fewer than second-placed Calmore Sports.
Only four players reached double figures for Portsmouth, with opener Ben Duggan and middle order bat Dan Wallis joint top scorers with 25. Will Carr took 4-18 and Mike Adams 3-28 for Andover, for whom Matt Knight (31 ) and Sam Ashman (22) were unbeaten when the game was abandoned.
Elsewhere in the division, Sarisbury Athletic were able to beat both the weather and opponents Rowledge.
But despite a third win in nine completed matches, they remain in the second relegation place - though only now 0.1 of a point adrift of St Cross Symondians’ seconds.
Chris Sanders and Max Martin set up Sarisbury’s victory by reducing Rowledge to 3-3 after the hosts had been asked to bat in sticky conditions at Church Road.
Sanders (3-4 in seven overs) dismissed openers Jontie Sebborn and Max Whitney while Martin bowled Jake Wish for a duck. Left-arm spinner Sam Hill (3-19) and Phil Jewell (2-17) claimed cheap wickets as Rowledge were bowled out for 92 in the 32nd over, Hampshire U16 prospect Ethan Martin (18) top scoring.
In reply, Will Bolton fell early but Jack Lovett struck a run-a-ball undefeated 49, sharing a 72-run stand for the second wicket with Elliot Smith (22) as Sarisbury recorded a seven-wicket victory.
Sarisbury have the chance to build on that win when rock bottom Andover visit Allotment Road on Saturday, 12.30. Simon Carter, The News.
In a match reduced to 36 overs due to the morning downpours, Portsmouth were restricted to 131-9 by the side bottom of the SPL second tier. Andover were then racing along on 66-1 in the 17th over before another cloudburst called proceedings to a halt.
It was only Portsmouth’s second cancellation/abandonment in 11 games - the joint-lowest in their division and three fewer than second-placed Calmore Sports.
Only four players reached double figures for Portsmouth, with opener Ben Duggan and middle order bat Dan Wallis joint top scorers with 25. Will Carr took 4-18 and Mike Adams 3-28 for Andover, for whom Matt Knight (31 ) and Sam Ashman (22) were unbeaten when the game was abandoned.
Elsewhere in the division, Sarisbury Athletic were able to beat both the weather and opponents Rowledge.
But despite a third win in nine completed matches, they remain in the second relegation place - though only now 0.1 of a point adrift of St Cross Symondians’ seconds.
Chris Sanders and Max Martin set up Sarisbury’s victory by reducing Rowledge to 3-3 after the hosts had been asked to bat in sticky conditions at Church Road.
Sanders (3-4 in seven overs) dismissed openers Jontie Sebborn and Max Whitney while Martin bowled Jake Wish for a duck. Left-arm spinner Sam Hill (3-19) and Phil Jewell (2-17) claimed cheap wickets as Rowledge were bowled out for 92 in the 32nd over, Hampshire U16 prospect Ethan Martin (18) top scoring.
In reply, Will Bolton fell early but Jack Lovett struck a run-a-ball undefeated 49, sharing a 72-run stand for the second wicket with Elliot Smith (22) as Sarisbury recorded a seven-wicket victory.
Sarisbury have the chance to build on that win when rock bottom Andover visit Allotment Road on Saturday, 12.30. Simon Carter, The News.
