ANDOVER Seconds recorded an impressive shut-out victory over last year’s undefeated league winners, St Jacques, on Saturday, winning 30-0.

Playing at home at the Goodship ground, the seconds put in a much improved performance against the Guernsey based side who have also struggled to hit the ground running this season.

From the kick off Andover received the ball and soon penetrated the St Jaques defence, as fly half Johnny Rogers clever little cross field kick saw the backs force St Jaques to make errors.

Andover’s trademark powerful scum now took full advantage of the penalties awarded to them and when in range, George Roscoe opened the scoring with a well struck three points.

With confidence starting to grow, Andover played to their strengths and utilised their forwards at every opportunity.

With the partnership of Stefan Long and Roscoe in the centres working well, it was just a matter of time before Roscoe opened the door for Long to score.

Feeling firmly in control of the game Andover persisted in using their powerful scrum to dominate the game until the referee had to ask them to “ease up” a little for the sake of safety.

Undaunted however Andover continued to dominate and as the half drew to an end the up and coming Ben Ciccotti covered over 60metres and avoided six tackles before Connor Churchill received a high tackle and a penalty try was awarded.

After the break Andover knew they had to stick to their game plan and a much needed victory would come.

They did exactly that and as the visitors began to tire Long again crashed over for his second in just four minutes.

As injuries started to mount, manager Jody Morgan took the chance to grace the field for the last 20 minutes and with Andover now fully in control the option for a scrum came just five metres from the visitors try line.

Andover marched St Jaques backward and Jody Franklin neatly scored under the posts.

The last play of the game was pure showboating for the home crowd as the ball found its way to Sam ‘Sumo’ Earle.

The prop powerhouse carried for 30metres and skipped past three players for a score, appreciated by the Andover crowd.

After the match, manager Jody Morgan said: “This is a development squad that is really starting to show signs of what it is capable of.

“We know we have sustained some injuries today and truly wish those boys a speedy recovery, but are confident in what the club want to achieve and our strength in depth.”