First XI Narrowly Defeated by Sway
The first XI faced a tough challenge against Sway, suffering a narrow 17-run defeat despite a brilliant innings from 14-year-old Cameron Mitchinson. After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Andover made some early breakthroughs. Josh Bailey was run out by a stunning direct hit, and Mitchinson claimed the wicket of Daniel Bailey, who scored 41 runs. However, Sway’s Tom Richards was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 66 runs off just 51 balls, helping his team reach a competitive total of 272 all out.
In response, Andover’s innings got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets for just nine runs. Harri Williams provided a brief spark with 33 runs, but the team found themselves in trouble at 70-5. Mitchinson then partnered with fellow teenager George Green, and together they rebuilt the innings. Mitchinson showcased his talent, scoring a remarkable 83 runs from 102 balls, hitting eight boundaries along the way.
Despite a valiant effort, Andover fell short, finishing at 255 all out. Mitchinson’s performance was a silver lining, highlighting his potential as a future star for the club.
Second XI Continues Winning Streak
In contrast, the second XI secured a solid four-wicket victory over Mottisfont. After being asked to bowl first, Andover’s bowlers dominated, with Richie Taylor taking three wickets and Keegan Holtzmann adding two more. Mottisfont struggled to build partnerships and were all out for 191 runs.
The chase was tricky, but Callum Bird’s 30 runs helped stabilize the innings. Captain Jez Hayward contributed a crucial 41 runs, and Andy Green anchored the chase with a composed half-century. Ben Stewart joined Green to finish the job, guiding Andover to 192-6 in just 34.4 overs, securing another 24 points and keeping them at the top of the table.
Third XI Triumphs with Young Talent
The third XI also celebrated a victory, with teenager Hari Thaker shining brightly. After winning the toss and bowling first, Andover restricted Overton 2nd XI to 132 runs, with Thaker claiming an impressive five wickets for just 17 runs.
The chase wasn’t straightforward, as Andover found themselves in trouble at 28-4. However, Ronan Brown steadied the ship with a vital 50 runs. Thaker then returned to hit the winning runs, sealing a three-wicket victory and marking a memorable day for the young star.
Fourth XI Faces Defeat Despite Promising Performances
Lastly, the fourth XI faced a challenging match against Salisbury Malayalee Challengers 2nd XI, ultimately losing by 59 runs. Despite a strong performance from Oscar Veettil, who scored 73 runs, the team fell short of the target of 275, finishing at 215 all out.
While the results were mixed, the performances of Andover’s young players were a highlight, showcasing the club’s bright future.