Andover v Bournemouth

THE Andover Powell's side crashed to their third successive defeat in the Southern Electric Premier league last Saturday as title hopefuls Bournemouth defeated Toby Radford's side by two wickets.

The town side were invited to bat by their visitors, on after losing the toss and found it hard work to score runs on a damp wicket at London Road.

Openers, Mark Miller and Steve Williams persevered and had 24 on the board before Williams (6) was caught by Park off the bowling of Scott.

Both Summers, who replaced Williams, and Miller were victims to Bournemouth's overseas player Hodgson, Summers (1) lbw and Miller (32) bowled. Andover were then struggling on 58 for 3 wickets. Miller, the assistant grounds man at the Rose Bowl looked in good form as he has all season, but the found the going tough on the slow surface.

Toby Radford and Roger Miller continued to struggle in the damp conditions and Radford (28) was bowled by Coombs when the partnership was on 37 and the scoreboard showed 95.

Andover worked hard for their runs but with off-spinner Naik coming onto bowl wickets fell regularly, Langdown (10) Taylor (19), van de Merwe (1).

Roger Miller (60) showed a welcome return to form showing patience against some tight bowling. and Graham (1) all falling to his bowling. Hooper (4) and Walsh (1) made sure that Bournemouth did not pick up maximum bowling points and Andover finished on 178 for 9 wickets.

Best bowling figures Raj Naik 20 overs 2 maidens 48 for 5.

The target was always going to be competitive but 20 runs short of a winning score. And so it proved.

Full story in the Advertiser sport section Page 79