20th July: The David Fox Private Hire sponsored Andover U13As travelled to Hursley Park and came away with a deserved victory. Batting first Will Ingram (26* retired) and Ben Stuchbury (21) played well against some quality Hursley Park bowling. Matthew Knight (21*) and Michael Richardson (14) then accelerated the scoring rate well and took Andover to 120-5 from their 20 overs. Hursley Park started their reply at a rate of knots but Michael Richardson dismissed five of the top eight batsmen in his four overs finishing with 5-33. James Pine bowled with pace and accuracy at the other end to finish with 3-12 from 3 overs including a remarkable slip catch by Shaun Attwood. Hursley Park were dismissed for 63 in just 11 overs leaving Andover the winners by 51 runs.

The Andover U13Bs are making a habit of very close finishes in their Sunday morning matches but, unfortunately, they narrowly lost this week to Leckford U13s. Andover had the worst of the conditions, bowling first with a wet ball after a delayed start, but they kept Leckford reasonably in check with some tight bowling and fielding and the visitors finished on 111-2 from their 20 overs. Gilbert Lewis (1-25) and Daniel Cope (1-5) were the wicket-takers. Andover started confidently but lost their way in the middle of their innings, losing three wickets in the space of eight balls. Nonetheless, a valiant partnership between Aleks Collins (12) and Gilbert Lewis (11*) almost saw them home, but 13 runs required off the last over proved beyond them as they lost by 5 runs.

The Southgate Peugeot sponsored Andover U9s travelled to Fair Oak and in another close game they lost by 22 runs. Too many wides from the Andover bowlers proved their downfall, but there were excellent contributions from Lee Newman (13), Charlotte Boyes (13), (1-8) plus a catch and Robert Weeks (13) and (2-11) with James Halle-Smith and Robert Randall also taking a wicket each. In a pairs format match (starting with 200 runs) Andover scored 272 for 6 and Fair Oak replied with 294 for 7.

The Southgate Peugeot sponsored Andover U9s were just 'pipped at the post' in a close encounter with Sparsholt when they visited the village club on a beautiful summer's evening last Tuesday. Batting first in a pairs format match (starting with 200 runs) Andover closed their innings on 282-5 with Rory Chetwynd-Talbot (17*), Louis Govett (8) and Robert Weeks (7*) the main contributors. Sparsholt reached 286-6 in the last over of the match to win by 4 runs in a thrilling finish. Max Souter (2-12), Louis Govett (1-5), Lawrence Fergus (1-18), Sam Edwards (1-16) and James Halle-Smith (1-10) were the successful bowlers for Andover.

 Last Friday the Andover U11As, sponsored by Stratfords Commercial, played St Cross in the Oliver Cup Final at Leckford CC and despite the grey sky, the rain held off. Andover won the toss and elected to bat. The St Cross opening bowler Simon McCormick-Cox (4-0-8-4) combined with excellent catching meant that Andover were soon in trouble at 3-4 after only 3 overs. Curtis Cole (20) and Robbie Hadfield (16*) then steadied the ship with a partnership of 36 but the bowling remained tight and Andover could only reach 66-6 from their 20 overs. This total never really stretched St Cross, although there was a glimmer of hope when Harry Blackburn bowled Mcormick-Cox with the fourth ball of the innings. There was then a quick-fire innings from Rory Broadhurst (23*) and St Cross achieved their target for the loss of only 2 wickets with 7 overs remaining - Tom Cavanagh being Andover's only other successful bowler.

Sunday morning's games were victims to the rain but the weather had improved by the afternoon when the Andover U16/U15s, sponsored by Travail Employment, hosted a strong South African touring side, Kwazulu Natal Midlands. Winning the toss Andover put the visitors into bat on a drying wicket and bowled them out for 124 in the 32nd over with an impressive display from off-spinner Luke Andrews (6-22) together with wickets for Michael Richardson (2-6), Jos Clarke (1-15) and Chris Hadfield (1-15). Andover's reply started shakily, loosing their first wicket from the fourth ball, but Ollie Williams (35) and Harry Cox (38*) built a good base and when Williams was out Chris Hadfield (19) pushed the score along to see Andover home by 6 wickets.

The Andover U11As were also in action this Tuesday evening when Trojans were the visitors for a pairs match. Andover bowled well and kept Trojans to 216-5 from their 16 overs with Ben Knight (2-7), James Gigg (2-8) and Jamie Noble (1-5) doing the damage helped by two Robbie Hadfield stumpings. In reply the openers Robbie Hadfield (17*) and Sam Rebdi (12*) got off to a flying start and Andover reached 267-4 by the close, perhaps flattered by 34 extras, to win by 51 runs.

6 JULY The two David Fox Private Hire Andover U13 teams were both in action last Sunday morning.

 The U13As travelled to Compton & Chandlers Ford and returned to winning ways. Andover batted first and built their innings around John Gallon (25* retired), Ben Stuchbury (24) and Tom Trinder (28*) to reach 113-2.. Compton & Chandlers Ford lost early wickets but threatened to take the initiative through some big hitting from Richard Croker (28*) but wickets continued to tumble at the other end until they were bowled out for 71 in the 19^th over to give Andover a 42 run victory. The wickets were well shared around with James Knight (1-10), Michael Richardson (1-15), Matthew Thomas (1-15), Joel Hulmes (2-9), Ben Stuchbury (1-30, Tom Trinder (2-7) and John Gallon (1-3) being the successful bowlers.

 Andover U13Bs just failed to achieve a third successive victory on Sunday morning against Kings Somborne. Batting first, Andover were somewhat nonplussed by the large number of wides which the visitors bowled and it became very difficult in damp conditions to put bat on ball. Joe Attwood (14) and Jamie Fitzpatrick (10) put a partnership together but otherwise 'extras' was by far the highest scorer and they reached 98-7 from their 20 overs. Andover bowled much more tightly and also fielded well in trying to defend the total. Daniel Boyes (2-4), Shaun Attwood (2-13), Will Turner (1-15) and Toby Graham (1-16) all picked up wickets and Evan Martin took a stunning catch, but Kings Somborne finally squeezed home with three balls to spare to win by four wickets.

22nd June: On Sunday morning the two Stratfords Commercial Andover U11 sides were both in action. The U11As were at home to South Wilts in the Oliver Cup Semi-Final, South Wilts won the toss and elected to bat. Skipper Harry Blackburn (3-16) had a dream start clean bowling two batters with the first and third balls of the match and Jamie Noble (2-18) did the same with the first ball of the second over but South Wilts progressed to 106-6 from their 20 overs with Tom Cavanagh (1-18) also picking up a wicket. Andover replied briskly with Toby Trinder (27* retired), Jamie Noble (18), Wilfred Marriott (18*) and Josh Edward (14) the main scorers taking Andover to victory in the fifteenth over.

The U11Bs were away to Trojans U11Bs in a pairs match where both sides start at 200 runs. Trojans batted first and reached 257-2 with a wicket each for Chris Adams (1-8) and Ryan Ward (1-11). In reply Andover scored 263-3 to win by 6 runs with Michael Sprott (14*) and Ernie Lewis (12).

The David Fox Private Hire sponsored Andover U13Bs were at home to Twyford U13s. Twyford batted first and reached 108-2 from their 20 overs with wickets for Matthew Thomas (1-10) and Daniel Boyes (1-24). Andover managed to win with nearly 3 overs to spare for the loss of three wickets. Adam Davis (26*) and Joe Attwood (25*) both retired and there was a useful knock from Daniel Boyes (14)

The Andover U9s, sponsored by Southgate Peugeot, also had a good win away to Tichborne Park on Sunday morning in a pairs match. Andover batted first and reached a very respectable 304-2 with Sam Edwards (18*), Alex Haddon (12*) and Sergio Hunt (10*) all reaching double figures. Andover then restricted Tichborne to 284-5 to win by 20 runs with wickets for Alex Haddon (1-5), Sergio Hunt (1-8) and Robert Weeks (1-14).

June 16th: The Andover U15s, sponsored by Travail Employment Group, travelled to Hursley Park last Tuesday and scored 88-5 from their 20 overs with John Palmer (25* retired) and Jonty Hadfield (19) the main contributors. Hursley  passed the score in the 18^th over but there were wickets for Ali Ansari (2-6), Jonty Hadfield (2-14) and Luke Andrews (1-9).

The David Fox sponsored Andover U13As were at home to Twyford last Friday evening in the re-arranged quarter-final of the Barfoot Cup. Batting first Andover scored a massive 225-2 from their 20 overs with Tom Darby (27*), Ben Stuchbury (25*), Tom Trinder (28*), Matthew Knight (25*) and James Pine (27*) all retiring. Twyford were never in the chase and only managed 88-8 in reply with James Knight (2-13), Michael Richardson (1-5), Joel Hulmes (1-8), Tom Trinder (1-8) and Tom Darby (1-10) the successful bowlers.

The U13As then played Hursley Park on London Road 2 on Sunday morning in the semi-final of the Barfoot Cup. Batting first Andover punished some loose Hursley bowling to score an impressive 176-8 from theor 20 overs with Will Ingram (27*) and John Gallon (26*) both retiring and useful knocks from Tom Darby (25) and Ben Stuchbury (21). In reply Andover bowled much tighter and restricted Hursley to 105-5 with wickets for Tom Darby (2-11), John Gallon (1-5), James Pine (1-6) and Tom Trinder (1-27).

The Stratfords Commercial Andover U11Bs played Twyford on London Road 1on Sunday morning in a 20 over pairs match. Andover scored 280-3 with Ryan Ward (16*) and Ben Knight (10*) the main scorers. Twyford couldn’t keep up with the required run-rate and finished on 245-5 with Ben Knight (2-1), Ryan Ward (2-2) and Chris Adams (1-11) the successful bowlers.

The Andover U9s, sponsored by Southgate Peugeot, had a fine win on Sunday morning against Trojans on London Road 3 in a ten-a-side pairs match starting at 200 runs. Andover batted first and reached 377-2 from their 20 overs with Louis Govett (23*), Alex Haddon (20*), Robert Weeks (17*), Rory Chetwynd-Talbot (15) and Charlotte Boyes (14*) the main contributors. Trojans then lost wickets at regular intervals to score 233-11 with Rory Chetwynd-Talbot (3-5), James Halle-Smith (2-1), Louis Govett (2-2), Lee Newman (2-2), Sam Edwards (1-6), Alex Haddon (1-9) and Robert Weeks (1-16) doing the damage.

The U11As travelled to Cove on Monday evening for a County Cup match. Cove batted first and reached 142-7 from their 20 overs with wickets for Harry Blackburn (2-24), Harry Cochrane (2-31) and Tom Cavanagh (1-31). After a splendid knock from Jamie Noble (25* retired), Andover fell well behind the required run-rate finishing on 79-5 with only Oliver Haddon (16) and Robbie Hadfield (12*) reaching double figures.

June 9th: The Andover U15s, sponsored by Travail Employment Group, played against St Cross U15s on Friday evening at London Road. St Cross batted first and reached 106 all out with wickets for Ali Ansari (2-1), Chris Jackson (2-23),Giles Malyon (1-12), Luke Andrews (1-17), Tom Waite (1-22) and Robert O’Donovan (1-23). In reply Chris Jackson (27* retired) top-scored helped by a useful knock from Harry Cox (14) but Andover struggled to keep up with the required run-rate and finished 27 runs short on 79-7.

The two David Fox Private Hire sponsored Andover U13 teams were both in action on Sunday morning. The U13As continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable win over Ropley U13s. Ropley reached 96-8 from their 20 overs with James Knight (4-6), Harry Blackburn (1-8), Michael Richardson (1-10), James Pine (1-13) and Ben Stuchbury (1-18) picking up the wickets. Andover then paced their innings well with Ben Stuchbury (27* retired), James Pine (21*) and Michael Richardson (14*) taking Andover to victory for the loss of 3 wickets with 2 overs to spare.

The Andover U13Bs travelled to Tichborne Park but were well beaten by a strong side. Tichborne batted first and reached an excellent 141-2 from their 20 overs although there were wickets for Joe Attwood (1-25) and Shaun Attwood (1-25). In reply only Shaun Attwood (20) reached double figures and the Andover team fell well behind the run-rate to finish on 76-8.

 The Southgate Peugeot sponsored Andover U9s travelled to Hambledon on Bank Holiday Monday to take part in a twelve team tournament. The Andover players were Alex Haddon (Captain), Robert Weeks, Edward Vyvyan, Lee Newman, Sergio Hunt, Jasper Bradstock, Robin Bernon and Ollie Herbert-Williams. They had a successful day winning their matches against Portsmouth, Fareham and Hambledon B. They then found themselves in the semi-final against a stong Liphook & Ripsley side, which proved a step too far, and they lost by 30 runs. Andover's young team enjoyed an excellent day's cricket and there were some notable performances including: three splendid catches by Edward Vyvyan; Alex Haddon taking wickets in every match; sensible batting from Ollie Herbert-Williams and Sergio Hunt (18*) in two overs against Portsmouth.

3rd June: The Andover U11Bs sponsored by Stratfords Commercial travelled to Ropley last Thursday evening for the first round of the Oliver Cup but were well beaten by the home side. Batting first Andover reached 65 for 4 from their 20 overs with Alex Aldridge top scoring on 17. This total was never really enough to challenge the strong Ropley batting line-up who reached the target for the loss of only 1 wicket and nearly six overs to spare. Ryan Ward (1 - 4) was the successful bowler for Andover.

Last Friday evening the Travail Employment Group sponsored Andover U15s visited Tichborne Park in the quarter-final of the Millard Cup. Put into bat Andover started slowly against a strong opening attack but managed to post 115-6 from their 20 overs thanks largely to an excellent innings from John Palmer (28* retired). Andover bowled well but fielded abysmally dropping a total of 7 catches to restrict Tichborne so that they needed a 6 of the last ball to tie the match. Adam Crocker duly obliged for Tichborne Park who go through to the semi-finals having lost one less wicket.

The Southgate Peugeot Andover U9s were busy over the weekend with matches against South Wilts on Friday evening and Fair Oak on Sunday morning. Both were pairs format matches (starting with 200 runs) in which the young and mainly inexperienced Andover team put up very creditable performances. At South Wilts, Andover reached 269 - 7 with Sergio Hunt (8*) and Lee Newman (4*) but South Wilts achieved 306- 5 helped by rather too many wides and no balls. Alex Haddon (2 - 13) Sergio Hunt (1 - 6) and Eleanor Ingram (1 - 8) all took wickets for Andover.

Against Fair Oak, the U9s scored 271- 7 with the two girls Eleanor Ingram and Charlotte Boyes achieving an undefeated pair with 8 not out each. Fair Oak replied with 294 - 7. Alex Haddon (2 - 21), Lee Newman (2 - 5), Eleanor Ingram (1 - 8), Charlotte Boyes (1 - 14) and Sergio Hunt (1 - 6) were the successful bowlers.

There was a thrilling finish to the Oliver Cup quarter-final between the Andover U11As and Sparsholt at London Road on Sunday morning with the Andover side reaching the semi-finals with a two run victory. The Stratfords Commercial sponsored U11As scored 99 for 4 with Oliver Haddon (24*) top scoring, supported by useful contributions from Toby Trinder (9), Jamie Noble (7) and Harry Blackburn (7*). Sparsholt were 65 - 2 at the end of the 14th over, but tight bowling and fielding from Andover ensured that they finished on only 97 for 6. The last over of the match bowled by Jamie Noble produced three wickets, including a run out. Noble (2 - 17), Blackburn (2 - 17) and Tom Cavanagh (1 - 13) were the successful bowlers.

The Andover U13Bs sponsored by David Fox Private Hire were also involved in the tightest of finishes at Tichborne Park in the first round of the Barfoot Plate but unfortunately lost by one wicket with one ball to spare. Batting first Andover did well to score 120 - 7 with Adam Davis (25* retired), Shaun Attwood (20) and Jamie Kirkpatrick (17) the main contributors. The Andover bowlers were rather too wayward in defending the total but Gilbert Lewis (2 - 23), Will Turner (2 - 14), Patrick Dinham (2 - 14), Shaun Attwood (1 - 14) and Max Gibbons (1 - 6) all chipped in with wickets.

On Sunday morning the David Fox Private Hire sponsored Andover U13As travelled to Ropley for the first round of the Barfoot Cup. Andover batted first and posted a score of 118-2 from their 20 overs with William Ingram, still to be dismissed after 5 innings for the club this season, (25*), Matthew Knight (25*) and Ben Stuchbury all retiring and a useful knock from Tom Trinder (19). In reply Ropley made an aggressive start but the spin trio of Ben Stuchbury, Tom Trinder (2-18) and Richard Bennett applied the brakes in the middle of the innings and a good spell of fast bowling by James Pine ensured that Ropley finished 16 runs behind at 102-3.

The U13Bs also hosted Twyford U13s on Sunday morning in the first round of the Barfoot Cup. Twyford batted first and reached 110-4 from their 20 overs with a couple of run-outs and a wicket each for Shaun Attwood (1-8) and Daniel Cope (1-21) In reply Andover had difficulty keeping up with the required run-rate and trying to accelerate regularly lost wickets finishing on 67-7 with Aleks Collins (9*) top-scoring.

On Monday evening the U11As played St Cross U11As at London Road. St Cross batted first in a pairs format match and reached an impressive 317-3 from their 16 overs, helped by some rather wayward bowling, but there were wickets for Harry Blackburn (1-27) and Tom Cavanagh (1-27). In reply Andover started slowly and steadily but after a mid-order collapse there was just too much for the last pair Jamie Noble (35*) and Curtis Cole (12) to do, although they certainly tried, and Andover scored 270 for the loss of 7 wickets.