Despite suffering from a lack of training due to bad weather, the Andover U10s – sponsored by Coast to Coast Construction Ltd – arrived at the Havant Festival full of belief and won their cup in style.

The team ran in a plethora of tries to beat arch rivals New Milton 25-5 and the next two opponents were dispatched in a similar fashion with Andover running in 14 scores and conceding just a single try. They simply outclassed and out powered their way through to the cup competition The cup play-offs presented the team with a slightly tougher set of matches but, once more, the players worked hard to sweep aside Wimborne and overcame their toughest opponents of the day Winchester 10-5 to remain unbeaten and claim the cup.

Throughout the day Andover consistently attacked with pace, width and power far in excess of their years. Equally determined in defence, they turned over the opposition’s ball at almost each opportunity and turned defence into attack. It was a great finale to a season littered with cancelled training sessions and the squad eagerly await the start of next season on September 13 to build on their successes.

Andover RFC, sponsored by the Plumbing and Heating Company, took two Under-8 teams to the Havant A Festival. Both teams played extremely well throughout, with Andover 1 coming runners up in the cup final by virtue of try difference.

Woodstock Plumbing and Heating Supplies sponsored Andover U12’s also played at Havant in their final tournament in minis rugby. Their first opponents were the home side and Andover fell behind early on, but Smith and Copping roused the squad, enabling Doherty to go over.

This was nullified soon after as Havant scored near the corner flag. Andover struggled for shape, territory and possession and the game ended 15-5 to the hosts. Against Wimborne they got off to a flying start with Cooke taking an interception and scoring to put Andover in the lead. Cooke was shortly over again when a dummy and dance was completed by Wilson to set him up, Andover ending 10-5 winners. The U12’s third pool game against a new Reading side revealed some tough opponents. Early on both teams cancelled out each other’s tries with the final score 20-10 in Reading’s favour. Their final game in the first stage was against Portsmouth, a team well known to Andover.

Andover stormed into the lead with two tries in quick succession and a try through the heart of the Pompey defence from Copping and a solo try from Scobie sealed the game at 20-5. Andover couldn’t progress any further, but they all played with a great spirit and supported one another throughout the tournament.