Last gasp Wilding makes his Marc (From Andover Advertiser)

Last gasp Wilding makes his Marc

11:31pm Tuesday 17th March 2009

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Andover 15 Petersfield 13.

Oakwood sponsored Andover hosted Petersfield who are just one place above them in the league.

The previous encounter had seen Andover come out on top and they were looking to do the double and gain a much needed victory. Andover once again made late changes due to unavailability and one player stuck in traffic, but it also gave the opportunity to give 17-year old Callum Staff his debut in the senior side and a welcome back to 19-year old Chris George and regular young prop Luke Wilcox onto the bench.

Andover started up the slope and the away side were first on the scoresheet with a penalty. Petersfield continued to test Andover’s defence and winger Pete Mort, returning from injury, put in a try saving tackle to prevent a certain score. Andover were then able to put some phases of play together with Will Kane breaking from scrum-half and from this pressure and fly-half Jim Longhurst converted a penalty to level at 3-3.

Just before half-time the visitors were again rewarded a penalty for a 6-3 lead. In the second half Andover were looking more dynamic and driving at the fringes but the pacey Petersfield winger intercepted to score under the posts and leave Andover trailing 13-3. The hosts tightened up their game and after two of missed penalties, on a third award Andover chose to go for the corner. The pack caught and drove and after several phases hooker Tom Waite came up from the bottom of the pile holding the ball. With the conversion added this left Andover 10-13 behind with little time on the clock.

The last few minutes were chaotic and with both sides pushing for a score, and several mistakes led to a high pressured end to the game. Nonetheless it was cool heads and patient play that saw Andover score with the last play of the game.

As they built up the momentum again with their forwards slowly moving towards the line the Petersfield defence was still holding strong, until Marc Wilding wriggled through the defence to touch the ball down on the line. The conversion was missed but Andover had taken the lead to 15-13 and the referee subsequently blew for full-time. Andover breathed a sigh of for their first victory since November 1, while sympathising with the opposition in the manner in which they lost.

Young Staff had a steady game both defending and attacking when he was given the ball, Spencer Taylor managed to get through suffering from a bout of 'flu, while Ewen Cameron and Marc Wilding were playing their second match in 17 hours after representing the Army Vets at Richmond on Friday.

Tries: Wilding, Waite Con: Longhurst Pen: Longhurst.

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