Andover close in on a play-off place with dual wins

A comfortably win and a nail-biting one has seen Andover clinch their place in the April 14 Championship play-off showdown, as they lifted themselves into second place in the Nat West backed Hampshire Under 16 Indoor League.

They will have to wait, however, until the league's final week this Sunday before finding out their closing position as Havant and B.A.T.Sports still have the opportunity to join the party and knock them from their perch.

Steve Williams led the way initially as the north Hampshire side racked up 129-3 against basement dwellers South Wilts, hitting a solid 25 before James Manning and Mark Copplestone cracked 26 each.

The Wiltshire side were no match to the tight Andover bowling, with only Bonner striking out with 24 as they closed some way short at 95-5.

This victory could not have prepared them for the stiffer test of Locks Heath, who have the same record as South Wilts but scared Andover before they came away with a one-wicket success.

Prolific opener Gareth Ransley smote 38 and Nick Bampton a retired 25 as Heath set about the Andover bowling with venom, only Manning coming out with anything like respectable figures in the 128-4 scoreline.

Williams and Van der Merwe gave the reply a good start but Hill undermined Williams and removed Manning shortly afterwards to leave them tottering. Three run-outs left Copplestone to save the Batchelor Barn Lane team.

With Gillfoyle doing his best as the last man runner, Copplestone led them to the win with three balls left, hitting 35 not out to the glee of his team mates.

South Wilts made sure they did not go through the season with a win by knocking over Locks Heath in a fruitless match for the bowlers, as neither side lost a wicket in the 23 overs bowled.

Ransley and Copeman both struck retired 25s for the Heath, while Bampton and King joined forces to see their side through their twelve overs with a total of 125 without loss a stiff examination for the winless Bemertonians.

However, all three top order batsman reached the retirement 25 target, leading their side to victory with an over to spare. Boatwright top scored with 27.

It did not prevent them from finishing bottom of the league though.