Andover ended a run of four successive defeats by giving their Southern Electric Premier Division 1 survival prospects a boost with a 68-run win over Hambledon, the side immediately above them in the table.

They successfully defended a hard earned 138-8 at Ridge Meadow, bowling Hambledon out for a dismal 70.

The result effectively cuts the deficit to 17 points, leaving Andover to win probably two of their last four matches to survive.

Mike Adams, with his best league figures in seven seasons, took 5-21 to wreck Hambledon’s top order and have the historic village club reeling at 26-6.

Only Cam Prentice (30) made his mark as Ed Duckworth (3-11) cleaned out the tail to leave Hambledon 70 all out.

Fawley lie fourth from bottom, but suffered an eighth defeat in 14 games when Hook & Newnham Basics beat them by two wickets at Holbury.

Blake Anderson (36) and Tom Gates (32) top scored as eight Fawley batsmen made it into double figures without progressing.

Their 176 all out looked easy pickings when Matt Love (48), pictured right, and Ben Thane (34) took Hook’s reply to 75-0, but Wayne Smith (5-39) prompted a collapse which saw Basics lose five wickets for 23 runs.

At 98-5, the outcome was in the balance, but Nick Willock (43), aided by Joe Allniut and Glenn Williams (23), took Hook to the brink of victory before Fawley took two late wickets.

New Milton chased down a Rowledge total of 207 to win by two wickets with five balls to spare.

Rowledge, who upset New Milton’s promotion bid by winning at Fernhill earlier in the season, owed much to seventh-wicket pair Ian Metcalfe (55) and Nick Taylor (21), who lifted them from 102-6 to a competitive total.

Mark House (45) and KES student Toby Edwards (44) eased New Milton’s reply to 126-2 but the middle-order wobbled against spinner Rob Smith (3-48) before Lee Beck (32) and Dan Loader (25 not out) turned the tide.

Beck earlier took 4-37.

Full cricket round-up in today's Daily Echo