Andover 38 Trojans 7.

Any doubts that Andover can be a threat in London 3 South West were firmly dispelled at the Goodship Ground last Saturday as the ‘Hampshire All Blacks’ sent a disappointing Trojans side packing with a sparkling display of rugby.

A mix of power, pace and guile was far too much for the visitors from start to finish, as Oakwood- sponsored Andover ran in six tries and could indeed have had more.

A large noisy crowd welcomed Andover for their first home game of the season after being promoted out of the Hampshire League last season and they were treated to some awesome forward play.

There was much disruption in the lead up to the game due to injury and unavailability and they were indebted to coach Marc Wilding, who came out of retirement for this game, and Sam Froggett, who bravely turned out with a foot injury.

On the plus side Andover welcomed back the enigmatic Alex Kane from holiday, centre James Dawson and powerful forwards Nic Reed and Matt Moore, who have both just become fathers.

The game began well for Andover as Trojans messed up the kick-off and that set the pattern for the game.

Despite playing up the slope Andover went forwards from the first scrum and moments later, from a second scrum in the Trojans 22, the ball was fizzed wide to winger Dave Catt, who outpaced the cover to open the scoring.

Rich Woodley slotted a fine conversion to give Andover the ideal start.

Soon after Trojans missed a penalty of their own and, from the resulting kick, Tom Erskine’s huge hit on the catcher sent notice that he is returning to his menacing best.

He was soon at it again, combining superbly with Nic Reed to give Billy Pollard a chance that was just held up. From the resulting scrum, the excellent Tom Waite struck against the head and Wilding led the charge for a push over try.

Soon after Kane showed why he is so vital to the cause. When receiving a slow pass he superbly dummied and broke blind to set Froggett away for a trademark score.

Trojans were just wide with another penalty but when they lost a player to a yellow card for a high tackle on Kane, Andover were soon at them again. Wilding was again in the thick of it and after a superb spell of pressure he broke from a ruck to add his second score, which Woodley converted from wide out.

Full story and news from Andover II plus pics in Friday's Advertiser