ANDOVER First XI Cricket Club celebrated its second win of the season with a nail-biting victory over local rivals Romsey.
In a fierce clash of the Test Valley teams at London Road Sports Ground, Andover's win brings them closer to securing their place in the Southern Premier Cricket League, division one.
Despite their previous second to bottom standing, Andover has shown promising performance in recent games.
Romsey, which included Hampshire T20 star Chris Wood, won the toss and chose to bat first.
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Andover First XI Cricket Club celebrated its second win of the season (Image: Supplied) Andover's Babu Veettil and Aidan Jansen set the tone for the match with a strong start, with Veettil continuing his recent streak of control and skilful bowling, and Jansen returning to form with a fast and accurate performance.
Romsey lost steady wickets, slipping to 15-2 and then 38-4, with Andover seizing the opportunity to gain the upper hand.
However, Wood's experience held the Romsey batting order firm.
Andover persisted as additional wickets fell on the Romsey side, eventually bowling Romsey out for 173 in the 45th over.
Andover's opening batsmen struggled, with only eight runs on the board when both were out.
Despite a promising bowling performance, Ollie Banks-Williams managed a minor nine before falling.
Harri Williams (30) and Brandon Smith (20) began to rebuild Andover's innings, bringing the score to 73 before Williams was out LBW.
Matt Hooper and Dan Holewell sought to push Andover closer to their target, with Hooper particularly effective against Romsey's spinners.
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Andover required a further 50 with only three wickets remaining when Babu Veettil stepped up with an impressive 41 not out, aided by Johnny Nyumbu (11). Key runs from Veettil brought Andover within four of Romsey's total, consuming only 23 balls and providing the highlight of the match.
His performance, coupled with his three earlier wickets, secures the win for Andover.
Despite the win, Andover still sits in ninth place, yet moves closer to the rest of the pack.
Halfway through the season, they seek more victories to ensure their position in division one.
With upcoming matches against Totton's star batsman, Richmond Mutumbami, Andover will be looking to reverse the snippet of loss earlier this season.
The return of wicket-keeper Crobett, leg-spinner Dylan Melvey, and veteran batter Glyn Treagus raises hopes for further victories.
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