WITH all of the Andover club's matches washed out by last weekend's bad weather, it gives one a chance to reflect on the town club's fine start to the season in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League.

Roger Miller's Powells sponsored team sit at the top of the Premier Division One having only lost one match to Havant and that was by the narrowest of margins, and are in the running to win the pennant awarded to clubs for topping the limited overs league.

Highlights so far must be the form of the skipper himself. Notching his first league 100 for many a year, Miller currently is in second place in the batting aggregates with an impressive average of over 83. His younger brother Mark is not far behind having recorded two half- century knocks in his four innings whilst Ian Langdown has also played his part in the current success of the team.

Richard Taylor, the team's new pace bowler playing in his first season at the town club, is fourth in the bowling. Taylor is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in playing for the town club and is enjoying the experience.

"Andover is a very friendly club," he said, "and I have been made to feel very welcome here. It is a good feeling sitting on top of the pile."

Dean Woodhouse has complimented Taylor's pace with his consistent line and length which have bought him regular wickets.

"It is a delight to see the plans coming to fruition," skipper Miller said after last Saturdays' home match against Bournemouth had been washed out. "The new club players have fitted in well and the youngsters are doing their bit. It was a pity that this match was washed out, Bournemouth are very beatable."

Tim Keighley's 2nd XI, with an average age of 22, sit fourth place in Hants County Division One, having played four and won four. The side's latest victims were local rivals Amport - a match which skipper Keighley missed.

He was delighted to hear that the young members of the side did the damage. Steve Simpson and Chris Breeze knocked over the top order and the youngsters did the rest. Steve Williams and Matty Hooper took three wickets a piece and tore Amport apart. "The mix of youth and experience is working well," said Keighley.

One player who has been a revelation this season has been Rob Palmer. A player with an excellent temperament, Palmer comes in and plays his shots from the first ball and is phased by nothing while Luke Graham is another youngster who is developing into an excellent medium-pace bowler and gives very little away.

Andy Page's Andover 3rd XI improved their league position last week with their first victory, having lost their two opening league matches. The Thirds also have a good mix of youth and experience, and promise a lot, and Page will be hoping that veteran spin kind Andy Hooper can continue his excellent form.

John Baxter's Andover 4th XI have yet to get off the mark and have been short of runs to date while Alan Ellwood's Andover 5th XI lost their first match last week, but are well placed in the top of their division in the Hants Combination League.

It did not get much better for the town club on Sunday when they went to Salisbury to play South Wilts in the National Club Knockout. Andover had to travel but the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch immediately after the team arrived at Salisbury. "What a way to spend a Sunday," declared 1st XI scorer Lesley Morgan.