Andover’s Big Escape relegation launch is regaining momentum.
A narrow two-wicket win over Alton means New Milton are within their sights a the bottom of the Premier Division, just 11 points ahead with two to play.
A game of fluctuating fortunes saw Alton post 169, with the lion's share of the runs coming from Mark Heffernan (40). Dan Harris (35) and Abdel Janmohamed (32). Glyn Treagus and teenager Ajeet Dale shared six wickets.
One-time county U17 starlet Will Arnold (49), pictured above, sparked Andover’s reply, but at 113-7 and after Toby Salmon (3-47) and Jules Ballinger (3-23) had created inroads, the Lions were in trouble.
But Matt Hooper, the six-wicket hero of the previous week’s win at Lymington, underlined with batting prowess with an ice cool 31 not out which got them across the line.
“It was a close game. I think they will be disappointed as they dropped a few catches so that enabled us to get over the line,” Hooper said.
“We played well for long periods and we did our best to throw it away.
“We had two golden ducks which caused us issues but I am glad we won as it makes it really interesting down the bottom.”
A narrow two-wicket win over Alton means New Milton are within their sights a the bottom of the Premier Division, just 11 points ahead with two to play.
A game of fluctuating fortunes saw Alton post 169, with the lion's share of the runs coming from Mark Heffernan (40). Dan Harris (35) and Abdel Janmohamed (32). Glyn Treagus and teenager Ajeet Dale shared six wickets.
One-time county U17 starlet Will Arnold (49), pictured above, sparked Andover’s reply, but at 113-7 and after Toby Salmon (3-47) and Jules Ballinger (3-23) had created inroads, the Lions were in trouble.
But Matt Hooper, the six-wicket hero of the previous week’s win at Lymington, underlined with batting prowess with an ice cool 31 not out which got them across the line.
“It was a close game. I think they will be disappointed as they dropped a few catches so that enabled us to get over the line,” Hooper said.
“We played well for long periods and we did our best to throw it away.
“We had two golden ducks which caused us issues but I am glad we won as it makes it really interesting down the bottom.”
