ANDOVER fourth team defeated Collingbourne as they returned to the Hampshire cricket league after a three-year absence.

The Andover skipper Jimmy knight lost his first toss and was asked to bat by his Collingbourne counterpart Barry Reed.

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon Andover made a good start with James Bird combining well with Matt Knight to rotate the strike and keep the Collingbourne fielders on their toes.

After 15 overs the town side had moved along nicely to 60 without loss when James Bird offered a catch to the infield.

He was replaced by young keeper George Patterson who continued the momentum along with Knight, keeping the scoreboard ticking over and putting the bad ball away for four.

Patterson (27) and Knight (95) were able to take the score to 140-1 at the 28-over mark, giving the side a great platform to push on.

When both fell in fairly quick succession Andover accelerated, with key contributions from Dan Bird (18) and Brendan Clarke (17).

This took Andover to a decent total of 195 for eight off their 40 overs.

In response and a young bowling attack kept the pressure on Collingbourne with tight lines and good lengths in an excellent display in the field.

Collingbourne were made to work for each of their runs as the bowlers kept the scoring right down.

Tidy opening spells by Charlie Pugovics-Smith and Tom Clark were rewarded when Clark bowled opener Sinclair in the in the sixth over.

First-change bowlers Dan Bird and Isaac James capitalised on the pressure built with Bird taking two quick wickets and James another.

This left Collingbourne struggling at 45 for 3 at the drinks break. It was then over to senior pros Phil Knight and James Knight and young seamer Callum Bird to tidy up the rest and eventually bowl Collingbourne out for 107.

A convincing win for Andover falls on their return made all the more satisfying by the spirit and maturity with which their young side played they look to carry this momentum into their next fixture against East Anton.