Andover First XI, sponsored by Nordlock, had their toughest day of the season so far succumbing to a heavy defeat and being bowled out for 66 against Hook on Saturday in the Southern Premier Cricket League division one.

Johnny Nyumbu won the toss and Andover decided to bowl first on a humid day and a pitch that looked like it was going to offer assistance to the bowlers. This decision was vindicated when Aidan Jansen (26-1) picked up the first wicket with the score on seven.

Hook began to rebuild and rode their luck but with the score 34, the other opening bowler Babu Veettil (30-2) got in on the act, and Hook were two down.

Nyumbu introduced Ollie Banks-Williams (52-3) and Michael Adams (31-1) and both bowled well. Banks-Williams was bowling particularly quickly and the Hook batters decided to go on the attack but they found it tough going.

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Ollie Banks-Williams is all smiles as he picks up two wickets in two balls (Image: Ian Thacker) Adams was bowling with great accuracy and the third wicket fell, well caught by Jansen, with the score on 88. This gave Banks-Williams a boost and he picked up two wickets in two balls and Hook were now 88-5.

Hook knew they had to rebuild and Andover were on the attack. Unfortunately for the town side chances went down and Andover missed opportunities to put Hook under further pressure.

Hook progressed past 100 before the spin of Nyumbu broke this stubborn partnership and he also picked up the next wicket to fall, with Hook now on 157-7.

Again Andover thought they had an opportunity to bowl Hook out cheaply but the Basingstoke side battled towards 200. Andover threw everything they had at the Hook batters and it was pacers Banks-Williams and Veettil that picked up the final two wickets, alongside one of the Hook batters having to retire out due to injury and Hook were bowled out for 215.

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Andover knew the ball was moving considerably but the town side felt this was a chasuble score, if not a little on the high side.

Andover then had a nightmare innings that was all about one man. Jack Murrell for Hook took nine of the 10 wickets to fall as none of the Andover batters were able to land a blow.

Banks-Williams, following his impressive stint with the ball, top scored with 15 showing a lot of resilience and staying power but none of the others were able to stay with him.

It was a day with the bat to forget but Murrell bowled well and once he, and Hook, got on a roll it was difficult to stop for the Andover batters. Murrell missed on on taking all ten wickets with three balls at the number 11 batsman but he still had a day he will remember for a long time.

Andover were bowled out in the 20th over for one of their lowest totals in recent history.

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Andover now remain second to bottom in the league with five games left to play.

Things are starting to get desperate now so Andover will be looking to win at least three of these games to stand a chance of staying up.

Andover welcome Ventnor for the long trip over from the Isle of Wight on Saturday (12.30pm start - free entry, visitors welcome) to London Road.

Unfortunately for Andover, Aidan Jansen (hamstring) and wicket-keeper Alex Corbett miss out.

Andover welcome Will Berrill back after runs in the second team at the top of the order and he will also keep.

Andover will be looking to record a victory and hope they can reel in the teams above them to ensure their survival.