Tom Waite on song (From Andover Advertiser)

Tom Waite on song

4:55pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010

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Andover 34 Old Paulines 10.

Oakwood sponsored Andover returned to the Goodship Ground, after a disappointing loss last week, to face Old Paulines.

They were boosted with the return of some of their Fijian contingent with prop Matt Nolan, Alex Kane at scrum half and number eight Alec McNair. However adding to the injury list was scrum half Guy Wilkinson with the return of his knee problem and full back Chris Reilly with a fractured wrist.

It was clear the forwards were going to dominate with Wilcox, Waite and Nolan at the front and the powerhouse of Drawbridge and Wilding in the second row pushing hard. The lineouts were also much improved with Tom Waite hitting his target.

The good platform allowed the backs to play some great rugby and the first try came as Stuart McRae found Rich Woodley who chipped ahead and captain Pearson won the foot race for a 5-0 lead. However Old Paulines put Andover under pressure and too many penalties allowed them an easy three points.

As the forwards continued to win good ball centre Gerry Narruhn took a pop from Stuart McRae and powered through to touch down under the posts, Wilding added the extras and Andover were 12-3 up. The visitors continued to test Andover but McRae was able to read the attack and intercepted, sprinting from his own half and flanker Rob Good was on hand to run the remaining 25 metres. Again Wilding added the extras to take the half-time lead to 19-3. The second half did not start well and Old Paulines narrowed the lead to 19-10 but these would be the last points Andover were too concede. At that point Stu McRae retired injured with a tight hamstring to be replaced by Rich Retallick.

Fijians Narruhn and Masirewa were punching holes in the opposition providing the pack with a target to work off and Wilding easily converted a penalty to take the score to 22-10.

With the pack continuing to dominate the breakdowns Andover worked their way into the Old Paulines’ half and the pack pushed hard and the big hand of Alex McNair picked the ball up and drove over to leave Andover 27-10 ahead.

The final try came from a clean take catch and drive and Wilding came up from the bottom of the pile, before hitting the conversion from the far right touchline.

Coach John Crozier gave his man of the match to Tom Waite for his excellent lineout work and his tackling all over the ground.

Andover have a tough double header this weekend as they face Camberley at home in the league on Saturday before playing Gosport and Fareham in the Hampshire Bowl on Sunday, again at home.

Tries: Pearson, Narruhn, Good, McNair, Wilding.

More from Andover RFC in Friday's Advertiser Cons: Wilding (3), Pen: Wilding.

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