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April 1st

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Many batsmen have noticed a hollow sound when they use their bat to make a mark whilst taking guard on the London Rd pitch No1.  TVBC have just revealed that below the London Rd Sports ground is a secret, underground, nuclear shelter.  A remnant of the Cold War.  Into which the top brass from the MOD Logistics, Tidworth and Middle Wallop would have been rushed in the event of a nuclear attack by the USSR.  The exciting plan is that this shelter is going to be incorporated into the building plans for the new pavilion.  Below ground will be the changing rooms for the players and umpires and there is even space for a four lane cricket net.  Above ground will be a two-storey building.  The ground floor will be for ground equipment and the upper floor will be a bar/dance area with a balcony.  In view of the origin of this, revolutionary, building concept it is being suggested that the pavilion be named Bunker Hill.

The reaction to the news released on APRIL 1ST was interesting only one member fell for the April Fool.  He was also responsible for another revealing comment.  In recent seasons he has suffered from a very uncomfortable ingrowing toenail.  However, he has had treatment for this and wished the club to know that all was well and he was available for selection.  His e-mail read, ".....my toes have been sorted out, the worst is behind me."

Week beginning 22nd April: Like children waiting for Father Christmas the players of Andover Cricket Club finally took the field on Saturday in the first friendly games of the season.  Whilst we hope that nothing much can be read into these results there were some very notable performances.  The 1st X1 lost on both days but there was some good form shown by Lee Wateridge who hit his first half century for the club on Sunday against Aldershot.  The 2nd X1 had a better week end winning by three wickets at Basingstoke.  Tim Clarke (61*), Mark Copleston (53) and Ian Gardner (38) were the main run scorers as they knocked off 207.  On Sunday they managed to defeat Aldershot 2nds with John Copleston (48) leading the way supported by Tim Brown (18) and Andrew Green (19) in a total of 137.  Aldershot were then dismissed for 74 with Dale Green (2-12), Andrew Green (1-19) and Terry Neale, who bowled a mammoth spell of fifteen overs to claim 5-15 being the wicket takers.

Week beginning 29th April:  A good weekend for all concerned.  1st X1 went to Cove and came away the victors by six wickets.  Cove were all out 142.  The wickets being equally shared by, Dean Woodhouse, Ian Langdown, Gareth Tate and Mark Miller.  In reply Toby Radford hit 27 not out and Mark Miller 33 but leading the way was Ian Langdown with his first fifty of the season.  In the corresponding 2nd X1 game Andover were struggling on 43-7 at one point but a fine stand between Paul Funnell (37) and Rob Palmer (49*) meant that Andover closed on 143.  The Cove reply was never allowed to get going and they succumbed to the leg spin and off spin off Martin Docis and Steve Williams respectively.  The 3rds game was cancelled but the 4ths went to Langley Manor and had a useful work out scoring 214-5.  Rob Oostendorp led the way with 93.  Tim Brown hit a quick 64 and there was 33 from the skipper who sacrificed his wicket in order to watch Wigan complete their victory in the Rugby League Cup Final.  Langley manor were not in the game when the rain came to call a merciful halt to the proceedings.

Sundays games were a bit of a wash out with only the 3rd X1 having any joy.  Peter Wright completed his maiden fifty for the club hitting 63 in a total of 117.  Crown Wood losing their last five wickets for just six runs.

Week beginning 5th May: Thursday:  The 4ths are to be without a game this week as Eastleigh and Otterbourne are unable to raise a team.

A good return on Saturday saw all three teams which managed to get a game win.  1st X1 went to a resounding win at South Wilts in the first league game of the season.  Jerry hayward led the way with 65 out of a total of 280.  The South Wilts reply never got got going and there were three wickets for Richard Taylor in his first league game for the club.  The 2nds defeated Leckford at London Rd by 100 runs.  Andover scored 243.  Mark Kavanagh leading the way with 99 before being caught on the boundary - apparently he was more upset at not hitting a six off a bad ball than he was at missing out on a hundred.  Paul Funnell also cashed in with 65.  The 4ths had a convincing win over Sth Wilts 4ths.  John Copleston hitting his first half century of the season and Tim Brown going to his second consecutive fifty in a total of 229.  In reply Sth Wilts ended on 165-6, JB picking up three wickets.  The 3rds and 5ths were both cancelled.

Powells Shoplifting have a agreed a sponsorship deal with Andover Cricket Club. The deal is connected to Powells who fitting out of the Rose Bowl, Hampshire's new West End ground. Giddy Wells, managing director of Powells is delighted with the deal. ' We are involved in the south of the county and we are delighted to support Andover Cricket Club in the north. Andover are the top club in the area and we are pleased to be involved and support the club'. The progressive north Hants club are moving forward with their new pavilion plans and Powells shop fitting will undoubtedly have an input in the new building. Tim Keighley who negotiated the deal said ' The Club are delighted to have a major sponsor. Powells are an international firm of shop fitters, and we are pleased to be associated with them. 

Week beginning 13th May: 1st X1 went to their second consecutive league win by beating Calmore Sports at London Rd.  There was another half century from Ian Langdown and 44 from Mark Miller in Andover's score of 201.  Calmore were all out for 153. Richard Taylor took three wickets and there were two each for Dean Woodhouse and Martin Docis, who had the distinction of taking a wicket with his first ball in the Premiership for Andover.  2nds went to Fareham and Crofton and won. Andover recovering fom 55-5 to end up with 171.  Tim Keighley 48, and Robert Palmer 43 were the main run scorers.  Luke Graham with four wickets and Ian Gardner with three were the main successful bowlers.  The 3rds went down disappointingly on London Rd No2.  Asked to score 148 to win they could only muster 80 all out.  The 5ths went to victory at St Cross.  Alan Ellwood playing a captain's knock of over fifty to lead the way to 247.  In reply St Cross were 147-8 at the close.

Sunday's games were a mixed bag.  Pride of place must go to the win against Ventnor on the IOW in the National KO.  Ventnor were bowled out for 140 odd and Mark Kavanagh was at his brutal best to smash the way to victory with seven wickets and loads of overs left.  The seconds went down against Swindon by five wickets.

Week beginning 20th May: 

The 1st X1 have made it three wins out of three and are now the only unbeaten side in the Gold Division of the Premier league. Jerry Hayward 44, Mark Miller 88 and Roger Miller 61* were the run getters out of a total of 248-3.  With Dean Woodhouse and Mark Miller doing the business with the ball as Liphook & Ripsley were restricted to 202-9.  The 2nds also went to a convincing win against Old Basing.  There were more fireworks from Rob Palmer (64) and a 'ton' from Ian Garnder in the score of 262.  3rd X1 went down at Alton being held to 142-7.  Dale Green with 72* being the main contributor.  Alton passed the total for the loss of six wickets. The 4th X1 lost to Hollybank.  John Copleston going for 52 in a score of 152-9.  Hollybank got away to a flier but three wickets in an over from Terry Neale made them think again.  Unfortunately Andover could only take one more wicket.  The 5th X1 defeated Leckford convincingly.  Alan Ellwood and Ken Brown both recording half centuries in a score of 205-6.  Leckford were all out for 177.

On Sunday The 1st X1 won their Border League game against Challow & Childrey with Mike Adams scoring 43.  Andover finishing on 184.  Challow were all out for 171.  Steve Williams and Ian Gardner with three wickets were the most successful bowlers.  The 2nds lost at Hungerford.  Dale Green scoring 111, to complete a very good week end for him, out of a total of 202-5.  Hungerford scored the runs for just six wickets.

The Auction of Promises raised over £971 last Friday.  Many thanks are due to the Hampshire Golf Club for their hospitality.

Week beginning 27th May: The 1st X1 lost their first game of the season at home to Havant (why is always Havant?) in a rain shortened match.  However, Andover are still top of the league.  As are the seconds and the fifths who both won.  Only the fourths lost.  All games were rained off on Sunday but not before Burridge had cried off from the National KO match giving Andover a walk over into the next round.

Week Beginning 1st June:  Roger Miller's superb hundred gave Andover a stunning victory over Burridge in the last of the 'one dayers' before the they play the change format starting next week.  Asked to score 240 Andover cruised to the total with 'Dodge' leading the way. The 2nds had a convincing win over local rivals in Amport in a game which became acrimonious with Amport leaving without signing the results sheet.  3rds won away at Liss.  The 4ths are still without a win losing by just eight runs and the 5ths lost but Paul Laker had something to celebrate with a personal best score of eighty. 

Wednesday 12th June:  The 4th X1 game, at home to Sherfield-on-Loddon, has been rescheduled to start at 2.30pm on Saturday to allow everyone to watch the England game, which kicks off at 12.30pm.

Sunday 9th June:  Tim Keighley has penned the following piece to reflect the season so far.

Sat. 8th June: All the games were called off today after a week of very soggy weather.

19th June:

Saturday 15th June: A good day for the club generally but sadly the 1st X1 were the only ones to lose away at Portsmouth.  Asked to score 188 Andover could only reach 114 all out.  2nd X1 beat Tichborne Pk at home in a rain affected match.  Tichborne made 196 all out which was reduced to 120 from 29 overs.  Andover lost just three wickets reaching the target.  3rds won away at Hungerford.  Andover made 177-7,  Paul Collins making 50, Rob Oostendorp 30 and Tim Brown 26.  This was then reduced to 133 from 33 overs but Hungerford were all out for 107 with Mark Copleston claiming 6-24.  The 4th X1 broke their duck with a hard fought win over Sherfield on Loddon.  Terry Neale with five wickets and Andy Clark with three were the chief architects of the victory.  The 5th X1 defeated Rams off the last ball, despite only having ten men.  Rams made 121 and when the final over began Andover needed five to win.  Fran Andrews followed up his three wicket bowling performance by scoring 33 not out and hit the last ball for four to seal the win and an extra batting point.  

On Sunday 1st X1 went out of the National Cup at South Wilts.  The 3rds won at home to Tichborne Park 2nds.  Andover scored 151.  Tim Clark making 39 and Alan Ellwood 30.  In reply Tichborne could only reach 140.  Terry Neale completing a ten wicket weekend with 5-8.

22nd June: 1st X1 crashed out for just 89 and were easily beaten by BAT.  2nds lost, 4ths lost, 5ths lost.  Only the 3rds provided any respite from the gloom.  Details posted when known.

30th June: 

The 1st X1 got back into their stride with a splendid win at Bashley.  Bashley made 249 but Andover swept to victory by four wickets.  Roger and Mark Miller got them off to a great start with a stand of 99.  Roger going on to make 50.  Toby Radford marked his return from injury with a superb 60+ to steer Andover home.  The 2nds lost in the last over having made 203.  Rob Atkins came home from University to set up a win for the 3rds with 70.  The 4ths won a nail biter.  On the last ball Neil Shield had to score one to tie two to win.  The ball went to mid off who tried to run him out and the winning run came from the resulting over throw.  5ths lost at Charlton having made 175.

ANDOVER U15A WIN MILLARD CUP

On Friday evening Andover hosted the U15 Millard Cup Final between Andover and Fair Oak.  Fair Oak batted first and were restricted to 92-4 from their 18 overs with James Moss 11-1, Ollie Williams 11-1 and Chris Hadfield 19-1 the wicket takers. Tim Clarke the wicket-keeper took two stumpings and a catch.Andover reached their target in only 13.5 overs scoring 96-2 with Tim Clarke 49, Ollie Williams 12, James Moss 12* and Chris Hadfield 1*.

6th July:  1st X1 went to a crushing defeat against Sth Wilts at home.  Andover were shot out cheaply and lost by eight wickets.  2nds dip in form continues and they went down away at Sth Wilts.  However, the 3rds good run continued with a win over Sth Wilts 3rds by three wickets.  Dale Green leading the way with 94.  4ths won their match over bottom of the table Medstead, John Copleston with 84 and James Green, on his retun from University, hit 58.  5ths lost away at Colden Common once again having posted a decent first innings total.

Sunday 1st X1 lost at home to Hartley Wintney.  The 2nds went to Newbury where the two Johns, Copleston and Baxter posted 116 for the first wicket.  Tim Brown weighed in with 59* to leave Andover 222 at the close.  Newbury/Cold Ash put up a brave fight which only petered away as their overs ran out.  Stuart Robinson collected his first five wicket haul for Andover.

13th July: The 1st X1 went down for the fifth time this season at Calmore Sports.  Set to score 222 Andover could only manage 80.  Ian Langdown hit a massive hundred and then took four wickets as the 2nds got back on the winning trail against Calmore 2nds.  Mark Copleston led the way with 80 as the 3rds knocked off 180+.  4th X1 lost an enthralling game against Holybourne.  5ths lost to title chasing Colden Common.

20th July:  1st X1 managed a draw with Liphook at London Rd.  2nds won away at Romsey but the real drama took place on London Rd No2 where Mark Kavanagh reacted to being dropped by hitting a hundred out of a total of 240 only to end up on the losing side as Hook & Newnham managed to reach the total in the final over.  If anyone needed proof of the continuing improvement of London Rd No2 this was it.  The 4ths won away at Vospers where Andy Clark celebrated his 26th birthday with 5-33.  Finally the 5th X1 got back on the winning trail.  Andy Bryan taking three wickets and a five wicket haul for Laura Winstone.

28th July:  A superb hundred from skipper Roger Miller was not enough to prevent Havant winning on Saturday.  Andover scored over 200 but Havant got the runs with plenty of time to spare.  Chris Breeze claimed 5 wickets as the 2nds dismissed USP 2nds for 120+.  This represents something of a recovery as USP had slumped to 16-5 at one point.  The 3rds won at Bedhampton by 3 wickets.  Set to score 180 to win all the batters contributed in the winning total.  Tim Brown was 34 not out.  Andy Mack took three wickets.  For the benefit of Andrew and James' Gran the Greens all contributed: Dale made 35, Andrew took two wickets and James made 22.  The 4th X1 claimed their first maximum point win.  John Cop. scored 90, Ollie Williams 46 and James Moss 70* out of 243.  Bedhampton 2nds could only manage 113 all out.  There were three wickets each for JB and Neil Shield.  The 5ths collapsed to 120 all out and were beaten quite comfortably. 

3rd August:  Rain completely ruined all the cricket today.  1st X1 had dismissed Burridge for 180 and could have reasonable expected to win.  The 2nds never even bowled a ball.  3rd X1 had reduced Easton to just over 100 - 6.  4th X1 had reached 54-3.  The 5ht X1 can count themselves unlucky as they got their game in unfortunately they lost away at Easton & Martyr Worthy.

August 10th:  Only the 2nds and the 4th X1 games, both at home, survived the weather.  The seconds faced a Winchester KS team who had drafted in five 1st X1 players from their cancelled fixture to try and give their seconds a first win.  However, they were soon shot out for just 80, Luke Graham took three wickets, and Andover cruised home.  Rob palmer 35 not out and Ali Hooper also 35 not out in charge.  The 4th X1 faced top of the table Portsmouth 4ths.  Tim Brown crashed 53 not out, adding sixty runs in six overs with Tim Clarke and then Stuart Robertson in a total of 159 - 5.  Earlier John Copleston had made 47.  Portsmouth found the going difficult against accurate bowling.  Terry Neale conceding just 14 runs in his first 9 overs.  Pat Littlehales, returning to an Andover team after twenty years, took three wickets as the visitors slumped to 68 - 6.  But Portsmouth fought back and a stand of sixty almost gave them the game until a flurry of wickets meant that they needed 23 from the final two overs with just one wicket left.  JB then claimed the last wicket off the 5th ball of the last over to seal an eleven run win.

Cricket Week:  First game was rained off on Monday.  Tuesday's game was a family affair as the Pat Littlehales Invitation X1 took on Andover containing four Andover players: Andy Page, Tim Keighley, Andy McMahon, Simon Mundy and John Baxter.  Alongside three former players: Pat Littlehales, Martin lawman and Simon Pape.  The 'visitor's' batted first and got off to a disastrous start as former Longparish star, Keith Sutcliffe, was out to the first ball of the game.  This was only the first mishap to befall Sutcliffe as he later managed to destroy part of the perimeter fence as he chased a ball to the boundary and as the laws of physics took over he fell into the fence bringing it crashing to the ground.  Eventually thanks to some declaration bowling from Alan Ellwood a target of 192 was set.  Martin Lawman was run out going for the run to give him his half century.  Tim Keighley made 42 and John Baxter 24.  Andover set off very quickly against a fielding side which had an average age of 40.  However, wickets did fall.  There was some good batting from Ali Hooper and later Neil Shield who put Andover back in control.  Eventually Andover won by one wicket with one over to spare.  A very good game of cricket.  Sutcliffe's afternoon did improve as he picked up five wickets.  There were also three wickets for 'Flapper' Parfitt.  We also saw Littlehales bowling to an 8-1 field!!  Finally don't tell Sandra, Pat's wife, but he picked up a parking ticket outside the Borough Arms earlier whilst waiting for 'Flapper'.

Wednesday:  The game against Chase Sports X1 couldn't have been closer.  Chase brought a powerful team and made 179 from 36 overs.  In reply Andover were struggling at 0-2 with Tim Brown (who was celebrating his 20th birthday) and Ali Hooper both out.  However, Rob palmer (Bam Bam) got into his stride and went on to hit 81.  Jerry Hayward weighed in with 49* and there was some entertaining batting from Mike Adams to keep us in the hunt.  The final over came with 13 needed to win.  The first three balls produced no runs then Jerry hit three fours from the last three balls to bring the scores level and draw the match.  

Friday:  Excellent game against Southend CC who were retuning home from their Devon tour.  Andover batted first and Neil Shield who was celebrating his twentieth birthday opened the batting.  He made the most of his opportunity to score 81.  Included in his innings were a couple of big sixes, one of which landed on the roof of the new house that has been built in the bottom corner of London Rd smashing several tiles.  In the end Andover declared on 189.  It seemed as if Southend were cruising to victory until Matt Guilfoyle took three quick wickets and suddenly it was a different matter.  The Southend opener scored a ton and in doing so created a new club record for runs scored on tour but it was all in vain as Luke Graham came back to mop up and give Andover the game by 25 runs.

August 17th:  After a two week enforced lay off the 1st X1 returned to duty in the fifty over game and chalked up a competent victory at home over Portsmouth.  Set to score 150. Portsmouth could only make 130 odd.  This win means that the 1st X1 stay in the race for the Pennant to win the 50 over competition.  The seconds chalked up an incredible 297 against Salisbury Wanderers who in return didn't make three figures.  Teenagers Cillie van der Merwe and Stephen Williams both hit hundreds in their opening partnership of 170 odd.  Mike Adams took 6 - 23 and Salisbury were 11-7 at one point.  3rds won at home against Steep.  Scoring 187 and restricting Steep to 130.  4th X1 went to Denmead with just ten men and won by 14 runs.  Ollie Williams making it a good day for the Williams household with his first 50 in senior cricket for Andover.  5ths lost away at Capital.  All this was on a day when we were at our weakest due to availabilities.  Well done to everyone who turned out and thanks to those occasional players and parents who answered the SOS call and played.  We have still never called a league game off because we couldn't raise a team.

In the Fantasy League Tim Brown's 'Tactful's Trash' have reached the final of the knock out competition against Terry Neale's 'Promotion Chasers'.

24th August: The 1st X1 lost away at BAT.  Andover made 229-7 odd but it wasn enough as BAT went to a comfortable 9 wicket win.  Seconds won an exciting game by just one run.  With one ball to go and two to win Breezy bowled the Lymington tail ender.  Earlier Andover had scored 232-6.  Mark Kavanagh with 53, Rob Atkins 45 and Ali Hooper 42 were the main run scorers.  3rd X1 were hit for 220-9 but then rain intervened and the target was reduced to 162 in 33 overs which was reached relatively comfortably for the loss of 6 wickets.  Tim brown 55 and Rob Oostendorp among the runs  4ths defeated Portchester by 105 runs.  Portchester had been above them in the league until now.  5ths ended their barren run with a great win over Locks Heath.  Set to score 244 Andover came home easily winning by 5 wickets.  Phil Knight ('F') making 52* and Fran Andrews 54*. 

The Club Annual Presentation Dinner was held at the Hampshire Golf Club and was one of the best attended dinners we have ever held.  For more pictures click HERE.

Due to a withdrawal the 3rd X1 have been promoted to County Div.11.  The new fixture list is now available and will be posted here asap.  There is a delay owing to the late decisions being made by the Southern league regarding various appeals.

The AGM of Andover Cricket Club was held in the Club pavillion and was one of the best attended meetings in recent years.  Whether this was due to the free drink on offer to everyone who came along or not who can say.  Treasurer Phil Knight had some encouraging news for once and we are in a dcent state financially.  It was announced that the whole square is to be re-laid over the next few years as we have received a 'yellow card' from the Southern Premier Lge with the threat that we would be relegated if the square doesn't improve.  June Funnell stepped down as secretary and was replaced by Lesley Morgan.  For the first time for some years we had the main Saturday skippers returned for a second year.  Stuart Robertson takes over the Sunday 2nd X1.  As yet there is no nominated Sunday 1st X1 skipper.  Posssibly the most far reaching discussion concerned the development of a 'Cricket Manager' and the role that such a person would be likely to play within the club. 

The Club Annual Presentation Dinner was held at the Hampshire Golf Club and was one of the best attended dinners we have ever held.  For more pictures click HERE.    

The Colts Presentation evening was in the function room of the Andover Rugby Club.  Will Kendall of Hampshire CCC and Neil Ryder, Hampshire CCC Development Officer were in attendance to present the prizes.  For more pictures click HERE.