POWER, pace and a lot of patience was the order of the day, as Andover overcame a tough New Milton outfit at Foxcotte Park last Saturday.

On a bleak afternoon the young All Blacks lit up the hearts of another large home crowd with a performance of stunning efficiency, once again recording a six try bonus point victory.

New Milton came with a committed side and a game plan and competed well up front for the first quarter, where Oakwood sponsored Andover seemed nervous and cautious.

As the Andover juggernaut came to bear however, the result was never in doubt as the visitors at first creaked, then groaned and finally collapsed before the destructive power of the pack.

Playing up the slope in the first half Andover were soon under pressure and went behind to a well struck penalty and the visitors were immediately back on the attack, but when young full back Charlie Waite and centre James Dawson put in try-saving defensive hits, the danger was past and never returned.

The New Milton forwards slowly began to wilt and when Tom Waite struck against the head after 25 minutes, the visiting scrum finally crumbled.

Andover props Alex Hibidge and Carl Sievewright needed no second invitation and with second rows Nic Reed and the excellent Tom Erskine powering them forwards they tore into the New Milton front five and took control with a try of breathtaking quality.

After a series of driving rucks in midfield Alex Kane cleverly switched the play blind to Sammy Froggett, whose clever wrap-around with Elliott Copestake was far too good for the cover defence.

A minute later Charlie Waite slotted a penalty and Andover were firmly on their way.

New Milton lost a player to a yellow and when Andover elected to scrum from the penalty, the result was never in doubt with Marc Wilding touching down.

Playing down the slope in the second half Andover began well forcing New Milton backwards and a desperate defensive kick was fielded neatly by Copestake who fed Charlie Waite on half way.

With a line of defenders in front of him the 17-year old simply switched on the after burners and sprinted round the cover to score a wonderful try from 50 metres.

Not to be outdone, shortly afterwards Copestake himself intercepted from even further out and he too sprinted home to score and with New Milton in full retreat Andover went for the jugular.

After a series of drives Reed crashed over for another Try converted by Charlie Waite and it was fitting perhaps that the forwards also had the final word when, from a superb catch and drive from the pack was finished once again by Wilding with Charlie Waite again converting.

Afterwards coach Andy Waite was very happy: “I think that was our best performance of the season so far. New Milton were a good side and we had to be at our best to beat them so well.’ “I thought Billy Pollard and Simon Preece were outstanding in the back row today to nullify their main threat and out wide our pace and finishing was sensational.

“Andy Franklin was man of the match though with his excellent tactical kicking and it was lovely to see Rob Good return to action after 18 months out.”

Clashes with Ellingham and Ringwood and Eastleigh in the coming three weeks will define just where this young All Blacks side is in its redevelopment process.