NORDLOCK sponsored Andover First XI lost their second game of the season against Portsmouth at a hot London Road on Saturday.

Andover have now lost their first two games of the season but have seemingly played two of the top sides in the Southern Premier League division one.

Captain Jonny Nyumbu had no hesitation on batting first after a warm week and the pitch looking like a normal batsman's paradise. However, Portsmouth, who won their first game the previous week, were immediately on top removing dangerous opener Sanjeet Garood (3) early on.

This bad start was only compounded when Ollie Banks-Williams was caught slip and Andover were 26-2.

Other opener Will Berrill (16) was standing firm and he looked set to bat a long innings until he was harshly adjudged LBW.

Andover were trying to rebuild their innings but wickets continued to fall as the Portsmouth bowlers remain on top.

Andover slipped to 59-5 losing Harri Williams and Calum Eke and Andover were looking like being bowled out cheaply. Glyn Treagus (31) and Matt Hooper (30) took Andover past 80 before the former Hampshire player Treagus fell.

Babu Vettill went without troubling the scorers and Andover were struggling to make three figures. Hooper continued and was ably supported by the ever improving Aidan Jansen (25) and Andover went past 125. Jansen fell and Hooper then went for one big shot too many and Andover were bowled out for a meagre 133.

Andover knew they would have to bowl well if they stood any chance of winning, especially consider the Portsmouth batting line up included for Bangladeshi test batsman Mohammed Ashraful.

The Portsmouth openers started well with Joy in particular chancing his arm going after every ball. Andover openers Babu Veettill and Aidan Jansen threw everything at them but Portsmouth raced to 50 in the first 10 overs.

Nyumbu rotated his bowlers well and it was Hooper (25-1) who picked up Joy caught in the deep. This brought Ashraful, who has six test match hundreds to his name, to the crease and again Andover continued to fight. However, with such a low total the Portsmouth batters knew they could take few risks and still nudge towards their total.

Ollie Banks-Williams bowled with good pace, troubling Ashraful with a short ball, and Michael Adams bowled accurately without much luck. Unfortunately, Portsmouth passed the Andover total in the 23rd over with the loss of no further wickets.

Andover travel for their first away game of the season this Saturday, travelling to Salisbury who have won both of their first two games.

Andover, who have seemingly had a difficult start to the season against three of the title favourites, will be looking to get their first win of the season at Allotment Road.

Whilst the First XI are away, Andover Second XI play at London Road on Saturday hosting Fair Oak Second XI (1pm start) looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season so far.