HARTLEY Wintney are in the last-chance saloon this weekend and know that even if they win at Andover, it may not be enough to see them avoid relegation from Southern League Division One.

The village side go into the final round of games in the drop zone and involved in what is now a three-way battle for survival – with only one team set to escape.

Totton and Eling are the side currently in the safe eighth spot on 160 points, but they are only three points clear of Hartley, while Calmore Sports are bottom on 150.

Totton finish their campaign with a visit from second-placed Hook and Newham Basics.

Calmore, who kept their hopes of avoiding the drop alive with a victory against visiting Andover last weekend, will travel to May’s Bounty to face an out-of-sorts Basingstoke and North Hants side.

They would be in with a chance of avoiding the drop if they win and the two sides above them both lose.

Hartley skipper Scott Baldwin returns after attending a wedding last weekend, taking over from vice captain Richard Hill for the final game.

He will take heart from the fact that Hartley won the first encounter between these sides by seven wickets thanks to a century from Aaron Wivell and fine 80 from Jack Hersh.

It was a high-scoring game, with Andover bowled out for 272 – Tom Arnold scoring a ton – but David Taylor, the top scorer in the league this season, managed just one run.

Andover have a good record on home soil, having won their last three, and they have players who are capable of winning games on their own.

Hartley skipper Baldwin is fully aware of this and said: “Andover are a dangerous beast and it was a high-scoring game last time.

“We know that as bowling unit we are going to have to bowl a tight line.

“We have to make sure that we frustrate their batsman and stop them getting into a flow with the runs.”

Baldwin said: “We know we have to win the game, but I think we have to forget that on the day.

“We just make sure we bowl well, bat well and see what happens.”