ANDOVER clawed their way off the NatWest Under-16 Indoor Cricket League basement with dramatic last-ball wins over the Isle of Wight and BAT Sports.

Chris Jackson hit the last ball of the match for six to give Andover a five-wicket win over the Island side.

An hour later, the roles were quickly reversed with little Jonty Hadfield keeping his nerve to prevent BAT hitting a six of their own to win the game.

Andover made hard work of beating a lethargic IoW side, who had earlier crushed BAT (72 all out) by six wickets.

The Island laboured to 116-3 - Simon Peak (29), Darren Ringer (26) and Patrick Morris (21) top scoring - and looked likely to finish second best while Hadfield (25) and Tim Lewis (27) were together.

But Andover still required 12 runs off Ben Wadmore's last over - a feat they achieved through Jackson's six-hit.

There was more drama after Lewis (29), Luke Andrews (25) and Chris Sherlock (23) posted a healthy 136-0 for Andover against BAT, who hit back hard.

Whadir Khan (27) and Phil Cooper (25) hit BAT back into the reckoning but, in a tense finish, Andrew Newell (16) narrowly failed to hit the winning six the junior Tobaccomen required.

The Island's six-wicket win over BAT puts them in the fourth qualifying spot for the championship finals, but they still need to win another game to be sure of booking their cross-Solent passage on March 20.

Leg-spinner Darren Ringer (4-12) routed BAT, whose meagre 72 (Sam Walker 26) was overhauled with two overs to spare.

The Southampton Evening Cricket League, who celebrate their 75th anniversary next year, still have a few vacancies for teams wishing to play in the league this year.

Fixtures are played on council pitches that have enjoyed a winter when a considerable amount of maintenance has been carried out to improve the standard of the wickets.

Teams wishing to enter or wanting more information should contact either the secretary, Ian Meyer, on 023 8061 5382 or 07766 523242, or the chairman, Doug Perry, on 023 8049 2503.

Games start at 6.30pm and are of 16 overs each, commencing in May. They usually finish in July, before the end of the holiday season.

Any former players who would like to attend the league's anniversary celebrations should make contact with either of the league officers.