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The Whole of 2007

The AGM, on Friday 1st December, left some issues still to be resolved. At the moment we still have to find a Treasurer, a Welfare/Development Officer and a 5th XI skipper. The full list of Officers elected on the night is as follows: President - Andy Hooper, Chair - Brian Funnell - Secretary - Leslie Morgan, Vice-chair - Tim Keighley, additional committee members - Geoff Dunne and Simon Mundy, Press Officer - Chris Hooper, Chair of Selection - Paul Funnell, Ground Committee - Ken Brown, Bar Chair - Jon Walsh. Skippers: 1st XI - Roger Miller, 2nd XI - Simon Reeves, 3rd XI - Andy Sale, 4th XI - Phil Knight, 5th XI TBA. Sunday 1st XI TBA, Sunday 2nd XI - Mark Andrews, Welfare Officer - Becky Brown.

 Gazelles Leap into Final

Andover Gazelles are through to the final of the SADICA Adult Plate Competition after beating South Newton by 13 runs in a hard fought semi-final last Sunday evening. The final will be played on Sunday 01 April 2007 at Castledown Sports Centre, Ludgershall starting at 5.15 pm. The team will be Luke Andrews, Jack Andrews, Chris Hadfield, Jonty Hadfield, Daniel Leavesley and Peter Roberts.

This was the April Fool for 2007

Pink Floyd For Andover

Rock legends Pink Floyd, seen here at Hyde Park in 1970, have announced that they are to reform and will play a private warm up out door gig at London Rd in July. Members will be able to attend this select gig by expressing their interest. To register an interest in attending click here.

Club Match

Youth Cricket Indoor League Win

Andover Gazelles comprehensively won the Salisbury & District Indoor Cricket Association (SADICA) Adult Plate Final. Batting first Andover scored 100-3 from their 10 overs and then bowled out Porton for 53 in only 8 overs. The team of youngsters comprised Jack Andrews, Luke Andrews, Chris Hadfield, Jonty Hadfield, Dan Leavesley and Peter Roberts. To read more click here.

1st XI Beat Havant 4ths Hit 312

May 5th: First league week end brought a good result for the 1st XI who beat Havant 2s at London Rd. The other highlight of the day saw the 4ths hit 312 against Redlynch. Elsewhere the 2s, 3s and 5s all lost.

13th May: The 1st XI managed a 4 wicket win over Burridge. The home side were put into bat and bowled out for 95. Mark Miller claiming four wickets and Roger Miller 3. Andover then lost 6 wickets reaching the total. mark Miller rounding off a fine day with 26 and Dan Williams making 30.

1s, 3s and 4s All Win

20th May: There were good wins for 1st XI, 3rd XI, and 4th XI today. 1st XI made a remarkable comeback thanks in no small measure to Ali Hooper who made fifty odd not out. 3rds were bowled out for just 101 but then dismissed Amport for 88. Andy Hooper taking 1 wicket for 1 run from 12 overs - was that defensive bowling or what? The 4ths completed a double over our local rivals with a convincing 8 wicket win against Amport IIs. Will Turner showed increasing maturity with a knock of 45* to steer Andover home.

The 1st XI fielded no fewer than four sets of brothers in today's game.

6-a-Side Postponed

22nd May: sadly the 6-a-side tournament has had to be postponed as a result of our success in the Cockspur Cup. Our redoubtable fixture sec. is, even as you read this, scouring the fixtures to see if there is another opportunity for the event to take place later in the year. This unfortunate state of affairs has resulted in shed loads of emails charging around cyber space leaving me to believe that some one needs to understand the difference between 'Reply' and and 'Reply to all'. To read the latest Youth Cricket news click here.

Mike Adams Claims Six as 1st XI Move Into Next Round of Cup

20th May: Mike Adams picked up six wickets as the 1st XI completed a comprehensive victory over Finchampstead at London Rd. Batting first Andover made over 200 with significant knocks from Mark and 'Dodge' Miller. Dan Williams also weighed in with a well hit 22 lower down the order. In reply the visitors had no answer to Adams and were eventually all out for 140+. The 2s went to Overton and notched up 255. Luke Andrews and Martin Roberts were the top scorers with 65 and 77* respectively. In reply Overton were dismissed for under a hundred. Wickets were shared around the bowlers Dan Leavesley, Pete Roberts, Dan Cope and Shaun Attwood.

1st XI Win at Trojans Chris Hooper Hits 95 for 5ths

  25th May: There was a good win for 1st XI at Trojans. Trojans made just 148. Mark Miller 3-21. In reply Andover knocked off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets. Roger Miller making 61 and Jonty Hadfield 38. There was less joy for the 2s at home to Sth Wilts. Tim Clarke made 51 out of a total of 163 which was never going to be enough as Sth Wilts went to the total with the loss of just  wickets. Ropley inflicted a 7 wicket defeat on the 3s at London Rd 2. Andover made 168 with Jack Andrews and Nick Goodenough both scoring 39. The 4ths lost their match at Upper Clatford but there was some consolation for James Knight who claimed 4 wickets and his uncle, Richard, who made 50. The 5ths chalked up their first win of the season. Batting first they made 280-7 with Chris Hooper hitting a career best 95. Ken Brown made 57. League tables are now up to date to read them click here.

1st XI Unbeaten Run Continues

2nd June: The 1st XI continued their run of wins with a comfortable seven wicket win over Liphook. Mark Miller making 78. 2nds lost at Hartley Wintney. Chasing 259 Andover could only make 1512. 3rds won their local derby against Whitchurch. They bowled Whitchurch out for just 56 - Andy Hooper claiming five wickets. Then knocked the runs off for just 2 wickets. The 4th XI were also involved in a local derby but came second best at St Mary Bourne. Restricted to 156, Dickie Channon top scoring, St Mary Bourne only lost 2 wickets getting the runs. The 5ths defeated Whiteparish by 20 runs. Andover 168 and then Alex Aldridge claimed 4 wickets as Whiteparish were bowled out. Picture show match sponsor Richard Belle (Andover IT) with Roger Miller. The Sunday games produced two good wins. 1st XI convincingly beat Thatcham whilst the 2s went to Falkland and rolled them over in good style.

1st June: 12th Man available for 2nd June. Click here.

Trojans Beaten as Andover march On

June 13th: Andover beat Trojans in the 2nd round of the Southern Electric cup tonight by 30 runs, and have put themselves into the draw for the quarter finals in two weeks. Dan Williams got 50 odd out of the big total of 155-9 in their allotted 20 overs. Everyone else chipped in with 10s and 20s. Trojans put up a good chase but were always behind the run rate. Mike Adams and Boots both picked up 3 fors and Lukey got 2 as Trojans ended on 125-8. (Thanks to Ali Hooper for this report). Teams for this week end now available.

Andover All Rounder Clinches Award

Mark Miller's stunning all-round performance against Liphook & Ripsley has earned the Andover cricketer a Southern Electric Premier League award. Miller, pictured, took 5-34 before hitting 76 in Andover's emphatic seven-wicket win. He wins a mounted cricket ball clock, sponsored by CricketBits, a subsidiary of Cricket-Hockey.com, the Downton-based cricket and hockey equipment specialists. Mark's performances this season have been part of the wonderful start to the season enjoyed by our 1st XI. The whole club is justly proud of the position they find themselves in.

Ist XI Comes to an End at Ventnor

10th June: The 1st XI's unbeaten run came to an end at Ventnor on Saturday. Asked to score 195 Andover lost by just 5 runs. Roger Miller and Jonty Hadfield were the main contributors. Ritchie Taylor bowled an economic spell of ten overs for 22 runs and Matt Hooper took 3 wickets. It rained in Andover and I presume the 2nds & 3rds were rained off. The 4ths beat Steeple Langford. Scoring just 141, John Copleston top scoring and with a good contribution from Robbie Hadfield, Steeple Langford seemed to be home and dry needing just a handful of runs with loads of wickets left; they even suggested that the drinks break wasn't necessary as the game would be over soon. It was but not how they expected it as wickets fell and Andover ended up winning by 9 runs. The 5ths lost by 9 wickets having set Thruxton 120+ to win. Only Mario with 30 odd made anything like a score.

The Heir to the Celebrity Come Dancing Crown

Cricketers have a proven track record of success in this reality TV programme. The question is who will take over from Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash to keep cricket's flag flying in the world of hand sewn sequins? Well here we have the answer. The picture on the left shows non other than Pat Littlehales, erstwhile fast bowler and general terror of batsmen from the West Midlands to Hampshire, strutting his stuff at a party in the Andover Golf Club. Fame surely beckons.

2nds and 3rds at Home 16th June

Click on any of the pictures to see a full size version

Kwik Cricket Triumph

19th June: Andy Hooper organised another wonderful day of primary school Kwik Cricket today. The winners were Vernham Dean in the Rural Schools section who defeated Hatherden and Anton 'A' in the Town Schools who defeated Whitchurch. Congratulations to all. For a gallery of pictures click here. To see the full size image (left) click on the picture.

1st XI Lose Another Thriller

17th June: 1st XI lost another close game against Rowledge by 3 runs. Toby Radford made 90 in the chase to score 225. Ritchie Taylor hit 40 odd from just twenty balls. Sadly 'Dodge' has injured himself and has a suspected broken finger. The 2s lost at home to Bournemouth 2s by 8 wickets. Andy Holman hit a hundred for the 3rds at home to Sth Wilts as they crushed the visitors by lots of runs. 4th & 5th XI games were called off.

Only 3rd & 4ths Play

23rd June: Only the 3rds and 4ths managed to get in a game today. Both ended up coming second. 3rds lost at Rowledge and 4ths lost at home to Burghclere. A feature of the 4th XI game was a partnership between father and son Knight. 'Big F' batted with son Matthew and together they put on a decent stand before Matthew didn't respond to a call and was run out. Wouldn't you love to have been a fly on the wall of their car as they drive home? Click on the pictures to see the full size version.

Two Wins Three defeats

8th July: 1st XI won at Havant, 3rds won at home against Portsmouth. 2nds, 4ths and 5ths all lost. Sorry no details at the moment.

2s Manage to Play & Win at Thatcham

To see the full size picture click on the thumbnail

 July 22nd: The 2s managed to play at Thatcham and came away with a good win. Thatcham were put into bat and were soon in trouble against the pace of Pete Roberts and Dan Leavesley. Will Turner then continued to apply the pressure as did the spin twins of Dan Cope and Shaun Attwood to eventually bowl Thatcham out for 128. On a lively wicket this was never going to be easy and it was left to Pete Roberts to hit the winning runs in the 42nd over. The tourists leave on Monday morning for the annual onslaught of the bars and clubs of Devon. Have a good week boys.

Ouch! JC Cops One

15th July: John Copleston was hit in the eye attempting to hook during the 4ths game against Hurstbourne Priors. The ball deflected from the top edge of his bat into his face. 'Coppy' was then taken to hospital in Andover who referred him on to Odstock Hospital. Thankfully there is no lasting damage. However, he has requested that we publish this picture as a proof just why we should be wearing helmets. As for the results in the games; the 1st XI were the only team to win today against Burridge. The 2s lost away to Sparsholt, 3s lost at Basingstoke, 4s lost their home game to 'Priors and 5s lost to Gt Durnford.

A few pictures from the action Saturday 14th July. Ollie Williams drives for four. Ritchie T. hits out in the closing stages of the innings. Another Andover Colt makes a stylish debut for the 4s. Russell Andrews gives it some stick. To see the full size picture click on the thumbnail.

U17 Two day Match v Bashley

In the annual two day “Test Match”, with the first innings limited to a maximum of 50 overs, Andover U17 batted first and the openers Jack Andrews 39 and Matthew Knight 12 provided a solid start. Shaun Attwood 15 moved the score along and there was an excellent captain’s knock from Jonty Hadfield 83* with useful support from Ollie Haddon 15 to finish on 216-8. Bashley were soon in trouble at 5-4 with the opening bowlers Peter Roberts 4-19 and James Knight 3-11 ripping out the top order and they collapsed to 61 all out with Patrick Ford 1-12 and Tom Pickford 1-13 also taking wickets. Andover enforced the follow-on and Bashley faired a little better the second time but the spinners Shaun Attwood 5-35 and Jonty Hadfield 2-25 did the damage together with a wicket each for Harry Blackburn 1-5, Jack Andrews 1-5 and Dan Turner 1-13. Bashley were bowled out for 112 leaving Andover winning by an innings and 43 runs.

29th July: The 1st XI blew away Trojans by dismissing them for just 55. Dodge taking 5 wickets. The 2s, 4s and 5s were all beaten badly. The 3s game was called off. To see short video clips of the 1st XI game click here. This is part of a new feature of the web site available only today is a video section. You can see two short snippets from the game at London Rd No2. To see John Copleston play an immaculate square cut click here. Then to see Richard Knight caught at point click here. More live segments may become available as time goes by.

Wilton No Show

During the course of this week John Copleston and Andy Hooper made some where in the region of 1,423,098 phone calls to be able to put out a 4th and 5th XI. Their reward was to find that Wilton didn't show up for the 4ths match. They 'left a message on Phil Knight's answer 'phone.' Is that enough? Did it not occur to you that as it is August then the reason you had to leave a message was that the person, to whom the answer 'phone belonged, was on holiday and therefore wouldn't get the message. The 1st XI won their game against Ventnor. However, the 2s, and 3s all lost. No news of 5th XI.

This will be the last posting on the web site for a couple of weeks as your beloved webmeister is off on his hols. However, things to look forward to are the highly inflammatory and revealing photographs taken by Pete Vanderw. from the tour. Please note these will be on a special 18+ only part of the web site.

Ciao!

Weather!

In the 12th Man, during the awful eather earlier in the season, it was predicted that one thing you could be sure of 11th August would be a scorcher as it was the first day of the football season. So it has proved.

12th Man Available

Click here to read 12th Man for week 15

    Dodge Collects Monthly Award

Andover skipper Roger Miller (pictured) picked up the July Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 Cricketer of the Month award.  He made two half-centuries and took 12 wickets last month - performances which helped keep Andover firmly in the promotion frame.

League Tables Up to Date

The League Tables are now up to date. Click here to see them.

U9s Triumph

The MQSolutions Ltd sponsored Andover U9s won the 2007 Basingstoke and North Hants U9 Tournament. There were seventeen U9 teams from around Hampshire playing at Basingstokes’s Bounty Road grounds in pairs format matches. In the group stage Andover played Ropley, Fair Oak and Overton winning all their matches including a particular tough encounter with Fair Oak.The Semi-Final was played against Yateley, who had won the tournament on two previous occasions. Andover batted first and scored a respectable 239 with some sensible batting. Andover’s accurate bowling and excellent fielding restricted Yateley to 221 and Andover won by 18 runs.In the Final Andover faced Hartley Wintney, who had won the trophy two years ago. Andover batted first making a total of 246 without losing a single wicket. Hartley Wintney found it difficult to score off the Andover bowling and tight fielding. The pressure told and Hartley Wintney lost wickets, eventually ending on 217-3 to leave Andover the winners by 29 runs.
Ben Cox captained the side superbly, the whole team batted sensibly and bowled superbly but the team’s fielding was the outstanding factor during the long afternoon.
Team: Ben Cox*, Robbie Taylor, Harri Williams, Michael Brown, Nikko Hunt, George Nixon, Steffan Burgess, Oliver Blandford and Harry Mills.

Sunday 2s Win in Imposing Surroundings 'Leavo' Gets First 'Fivefor'

4th August: Played against the dramatic background of 'New Place' in their game against IBM Hursley. Andover made 161-6. Then Dan Leavesley claimed his first 'fivefor' in dismissing the home side for 101. There were some good contributions from Ed John, Fred Kelly, JB and Alan Ellwood with the bat. Ed Jackson made a welcome return to cricket with 3 wickets. Click on the thumbnails to see the full picture.

1st XI Win, Defeats Everywhere Else.

4th August: With so many players absent on holiday it was inevitable that it would be a difficult day; and so it proved. The 1st XI enjoyed a good win over Liphook & Ripsley. The 2s had seven regular 3rd team players in their side but clocked up 197. However, a lack of fire power in the bowling department meant they couldn't stop USP from reaching their target. The 3s had 8 regular 4th XI players and one 5th XI player. They went from 109-1 to 155 all out and lost by three wickets. The 4s were bowled out for only 50 odd chasing over 200 and the 5s lost. The video section is slowly expanding. Click on 'Video section' above to see the excerpts.

The 2s batting against USP to see the full size picture click on the thumbnail.

Relegation for 2nds & 5ths

25th August: With the league season ending for the lower XIs sadly our 2nds & 5ths have been relegated. Only the 4ths won today, thanks in no small measure to Tim Saye, making his one appearance of the season, who took three wickets and hit 65. This win made sure that they avoided relegation themselves. To read the final 12th Man of the season click here.

End of Season Fun

There was some end of season fun for jack Andrews and Will Turner who put on 158 for the first wicket against Portway. There was also some good moments in the President's XI match at the end of the year.It was good to see Rob Atkins back in Andover. He managed a fifty. However, the stars of the President's XI were Nick Lee, who hit 100+ and Wayne Eggleton who claimed five wickets.

 Click on the thumbnails above to see the picture