Hampshire Academy 250 drew with Andover 183-8

Andover travelled to the Rose Bowl to take on the young stars of the Hampshire Academy last Saturday.

Andover were nearly at full strength with the return of Ian Langdown, but Dean Woodhouse missing; meanwhile, the newly-promoted Academy side were without a number of their Hampshire contracted players.

On a hot sunny day, Academy captain Giles White won the toss and elected to bat, which probably suited Andover, who have performed well batting second this season. The Academy got off to a solid start, helped by a simple chance off Richardson put down at first slip off Taylor (3-67), which proved costly as Richardson went on to score 61.

Once Andover made the initial breakthrough via an unplayable Roger Miller (2-34) delivery the Academy players' inexperience showed as they gave their wickets cheaply, with Hooper collecting 2-35 with his flight and turn. The key wicket of Brunnschweiler was captured by Andover's own young prospect Graham as he induced an edge to keeper van de Merwe, who took a smart catch stood up at the stumps. The Academy keeper Burrows (52) joined Richardson, and the pair complied 77, while Merry and Griffiths improved the home side's score.

Griffith removed Andover's top three, both openers for ducks, and last week's centurion Radford for 27, leaving Andover on 49-3. Gardner then joined Roger Miller at the crease and the pair built an impressive stand of 107. The game looked set for a tight finish until Miller toe-ended Griffith to cover, and a few overs later Gardner departed, leaving Andover to consolidate for the draw. A further three wickets fell, another two for the very impressive Griffiths (5-38).

The Town's own youngsters Van de Merwe and Hooper held their nerve and kept out the remaining few overs to ensure Andover reached the close. The first team's absence from London Road continues this weekend as they travel to Calmore looking for a win over the bottom-of-the-table side.