Andover win first game against Hook and Newnham Basics

The Andover side welcomed back Harri Williams whilst George Reynolds made his first appearance of the season and Farleigh School Gap Year student, Dylan Melvey, made his Andover debut.

After losing the toss, Andover found themselves in the field. The new ball pairing of Aidan Jansen (0-31) and Mike Adams (3-26) set the tone by bowling tight lines and not giving the Hook batsman any loose balls.

Adams claimed the first wicket, striking Lockwood on the pad in front of all three stumps. He struck again shortly after, bowling the other Hook opening batsman.

First change bowlers of Ollie Williams (5-36) and George Reynolds (1-21) continued to apply the pressure in the Hook batsman. Williams bowled with exceptional pace and accuracy, targeting the stumps of the Hook batsmen, causing them serious problems.

Hook found themselves 36-3 then 48-4 which was shortly followed by 61-5. Williams then got the big wicket of Hook captain, Buckingham, with a pearl of a delivery, hitting the top of off stump. This left Hook 73-6.

Williams struck again, bowling another Hook batsman through the gate to leave Hook 75-7 just before the 20th over.

Captain Nyumbu (1-24) then turned to the spin of himself and Australian debutant, Dylan Melvey (0-40), in search of the final 3 wickets. However, the Hook lower order showed some resistance. Melvey was impressive on debut, bowling his leg spin with great control and accuracy.

Hook put on 64 for the eight wicket before Nyumbu made the breakthrough straight after the second drinks break.

Murrell and Watts continued to tick the scoreboard over for Hook and took them past the 150 mark. Ollie Williams returned in search of his first Southern Premier League five-for. In his penultimate over, he got his man, removing the dangerous Murrell which left Hook 174-9.

Mike Adams returned to pick up his third wicket and wrap up the Hook innings for 178.

Andover knew it would not be an easy chase against a strong Hook bowling attack.

The usual opening pair of Will Berrill and Sanjeet Garood got Andover off to a solid start. The pair rotated the strike well before Berrill was caught at cover and Harri Williams followed him the very next ball, leaving Andover 19-2.

This brought former Hook player, Alex Corbett, to the crease to join Garood. The pair built a strong partnership, running between the wickets well. With the score just short of 100, Garood was caught at mid on for a well made 44.

George Reynolds and Callum Eke both came and went, leaving the town side 112-5. Debutant Melvey joined Corbett at the crease with Andover needing another 67 to win.

Corbett and Melvey kept the scoreboard ticking over and took Andover to within 50 of the Hook score. Corbett made his first half century for Andover but was dismissed shortly after for 54 to a quick bit of work behind the stumps by the Hook keeper.

Ollie Williams briefly joined Melvey before captain Nyumbu strode to the crease with Andover still needing another 44 runs for victory.

Melvey and Nyumbu knocked the ball round well, taking the singles whenever available and finding gaps in the field. The pair kept up with the required run rate and took the town side to within five of victory until Nyumbu was caught at cover to full stretch, one-handed catch in the penultimate over.

Jansen joined Melvey and calmly blocked out his first ball. In his second ball he dabbed the ball down towards third man and scampered through for a single. This left Melvey on strike with just four required to win.

The Aussie calmly drove Murrell over cover for four to give Andover their first win of the season. Melvey finished 32 not out to cap off a great all round debut for the gap student.

This was a great result for a young Andover side who look to kickstart their season. Andover now look forward to a trip to Isle of Wight this weekend to play Ventnor.