ANDOVER 2nd XI batsman Marc Kavanagh produced an excellent display of batting as he demolished the Leckford attack with a blistering knock of 99 in last Saturday's final warm-up game before the start of this weekend's Hants County One league campaign.

Kavanagh put on 147 with Paul Funnell in only 21 overs and 70 of his runs came in boundaries. Young Steve Williams looked solid and with some lusty blows from Mark Coplestone and Sillie van der Mewer Andover totalled 259 from from their 45 overs.

Leckford's reply started slowly against tight bowling from Steve Simpson (1-24) and Luke Graham (1-21) for 21), and good support came from the spin duo of Williams (2-22) and Coplestone (1-33).

Mike Adams (2-15) cleaned up the tail with some fiery bowling and the only Leckford resistance came from ex-Andover pair of Mark Tomlinson (46) and Nick Bolshaw (29). Tim Keighley's young Andover side travel to Fareham & Crofton this Saturday for their first league game, and the skipper is hoping that last Saturday's form continues.

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Andover 4th XI completed their pre-season preparation with a convincing win over their counterparts from South Wilts. Asked to bat first, Andover got away to a good start with Richard Channon and John Copleston putting on 58 for the first wicket.

Club captain Copleston went on to record his first 50 of the year before being run out by Dale Green whilst Tim Brown made his second consecutive 50 and Andrew Green hit a quick 28 to leave Andover on 229-5.

Tom Luker struck in the first over when skipper John Baxter caught the opener Bament off the third ball of the South Wilts innings with a catch that had the rest of the team blinking in disbelief. The Andover fielding was excellent during the first 10 overs as Luker and Andrew Green were able to put the visitors well behind the run rate. At this point the game seemed to go to sleep and so did the Andover fielders. Baxter reverted to type by putting down two more chances, John Copleston and Terry Neale also seemed to regard the ball as a something not to held onto.

For South Wilts there was some good batting from their very young players, who although were never putting pressure on the Andover total showed some considerable composure, especially Mark Boatwright who hit 53.

He featured in the South Wilts biggest stand of 60 along with skipper Chris Abel, who scored 51. Finally some semblance of normality was returned as Baxter snapped up three late wickets, including a caught and bowled which made you wonder what all the fuss had been about earlier.

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A young Andover Sunday 3rd XI managed to hold onto for a draw against Portway. The visitors batted first and rattled up 217 for 4, with half-centuries from Brian Holmer (64), and Andy McGovern (50no). Mark Powell took 2 -47 and Kevin Robinson 1-48 for the home side. Luke Andrews (1-23) was the other wicket-taker.

In reply, Liam Poore fought his way to 20 in an opening stand of 35 with Jonty Hadfield (22). Skipper Alan Ellwood scored 35 before five wickets tumbled rapidly until Mark Guyatt and Bill Powell steadied the ship and the pair managed to hang on for a draw.