Diary 2008

We have cause to celebrate as the 1st XI have been promoted to the Gold Division of the Southern Premier league. Two seasons after we were controversially relegated we have been granted promotion and the ground has been re-designated as silver standard with gold potential. We are the first club to be granted such a promotion despite finishing the season in only 3rd position.

There are to be two special event matches at London Rd next season. John Crawley is to have a benefit match on 28th May and there will be a fund raiser for Andover CC on 3rd May.

Indoor nets to begin on 13th January, 10am-12pm at John Hanson School, cost £3.50.

Full list of principal officers: President, Andy Hooper. Chair: Brian Funnell. Secretary/Development Officer: Leslie Morgan. Treasurer: Martin Randall. Asst. Treasurer/Welfare Officer: Becky Brown. Fixt. Sec: Ali Hooper. Saturday Captains - 1st XI: Roger Miller. 2nd XI: Dean Woodhouse. 3rd XI: Andy Sale. 4th XI: Phil Knight. 5th XI: Peter Vanderwesthuizen. Sunday Captains - 1st XI Matt Hooper. 2nd XI TBA

Andover Defeat Sth Wilts to Set Up Final Clash With Amport

April 3rd: Andover beat South Wilts in the Semi-Final of the SADICA Adult Indoor Cup last weekend. South Wilts batted first and were restricted to 113-3 from their 10 overs but the young Andover side overhauled their score for the loss of 4 wickets with Luke Andrew hitting the winning 4 with only 2 balls to spare. The team was Luke Andrews (Captain), Jack Andrews, Chris Hadfield, Jonty Hadfield, Peter Roberts and Will Turner. Andover now play Amport in the Final at Castledown, Ludgershall this Sunday 06 April 2008 at 6.30 pm and any support would be most welcome.

We are looking for someone to accommodate our overseas player, Uwe Birkenstock from South Africa, for the 2008 season. Uwe is due to arrive in the UK, approx 3^rd week of April, till the end of August 2008. It is hoped that he will be able to live in the family atmosphere of a club member. The club is prepared to pay £50 a week to cover accommodation, food, laundering etc.

We would like to finalise something quite quickly so we can give Uwe’s parents some definite information where he will be living so if you are keen to do this, or know someone who is, or you can help in anyway, then please let Alistair Hooper know alihooper@hotmail.com.

This years Natwest Cricket Force will be on the weekend of April 5th/6th so keep it free in your diary. For those of you who haven't participated in this before, it is a great opportunity to revamp the club and get it ready for the season. It is also a chance to meet up with everyone before the start of the season. We need to get as many people up the club helping out in whatever way they can. The more the merrier!
    The usual jobs need doing (cleaning the sightscreens, changing rooms, bar, fixing fences, painting walls etc) but Ken usually produces a list of little jobs that need doing (could you do that again this year please Ken?). For those who turn up, there is a free t-shirt and lunch!
     We also need people to donate any items they can to the cause. Do you (or know anyone who) have any leftover paint/tiles/varnish etc? We also need a fridge, curtains, curtain rails, till and glasses for the bar. Does anyone know where we can get these cheap or even better, free? If you have anything, and I mean anything, you can donate then please let Alistair Hooper (alihooper@hotmail.com) or Ken Brown know.
     We will be meeting at the club on April 5th, 10:00am and hopefully the majority of the stuff will get done on the Saturday.

We are delighted to let you know that John Crawley of England, Hampshire and Lancashire will be visiting Andover Cricket Club at 7.00 pm on Saturday 03 May 2008 so do try to get there early to avoid disappointment. Everyone should try and think of some really testing questions for him fastest bowler, most memorable match, highest score, biggest disappointment, explain the theory of relativity etc. In the meantime let us hope for a bit of better weather this week after the disappointment of having the first week end washed out.

Geoff Dunne is to revive the F**ntasy League. We are not allowed to call it 'Fantasy' due to copyright restrictions so Geoff has dubbed it the 'Fantastic League'. To read all the rules and see the player values click here.

Andover Teenagers Beat Amport in Sadica (Adult) Cup Final

After winning the toss in the SADICA Adult Indoor Cup Final Andover restricted Amport A, winners of the Premiership League Title, to 76-5 from their 10 overs with Peter Roberts taking 2 wickets, Chris Hadfield 1 and 2 run outs. Andover then managed to pass the Amport score for the loss of only 1 wicket with 4 balls to spare – Chris Hadfield 30 not out and Luke Andrews 24 not out. The team was Luke Andrews (Captain), Jack Andrews, Chris Hadfield, Jonty Hadfield, Martin Roberts and Peter Roberts.

At the Presentation Evening which followed the Cup Final, Andover were runners up in Division 1 and are promoted to the Premiership next season. In the Youth Leagues Andover won the U12B league and were runners up in the U14A, U14B, U12A and U10A leagues.

Individual awards went to Jonty Hadfield – Division 1 batting winner, Jack Andrews – Division 1 batting runner up, Jonty Hadfield – Division 1 bowling winner, Robbie Hadfield – U14A batting winner, Max Souter U12A batting winner and Michael Brown U10A bowling runner up.

12th Man & Teams

The first 12th Man of the season is now available and may be read here . The teams for this weekend are now available

Why is it Always Havant?

5th May: 1st XI came up against a strong Havant side who cracked up 256-6. Richard Taylor looked good a took 3-27 from 10 overs. Sadly Andover were dismissed for just 92. However, Roger Miller responded with the kind of positive spin that would have had a Labour party press officer drooling in admiration and said, 'There were a lot of positives today, we put up a good fight.' Actually we all know what he means; Havant will probably be the strongest side in the league this year and a much truer test will be next week when the opponents will be Hursley Park. 2nd XI dismissed Sth Wilts for just 90 runs. Andy Hoops 4-17, John Foster 3-19. In reply Steve Williams and Mark Copleston, who had recovered from the mental going over given to him by a certain 4th XI veteran bowler and web master, made 45 as Andover wrapped the game up in 21 overs. They can look forward with confidence to the vist of Portchester this saturday. The 3rds beat St Cross/Symondians. Andover made a respectable 172 which was a great recovery from 27-6. Andy McMahon 50 leading the recovery. He then went on to claim three wickets and take a sharp catch at slip to complete a good first day for him. So, all downhill from now on then Mackers. The 3rds will play local rivals Longparish this saturday. The 4ths had a good game at Sth Wilts. Andover made 146. Pete Vanderweisthuizen 24 and Jack Andrews 40 leading the way. In reply Sth Wilts got to the winning post in the final over.