Great escape is on again (From Andover Advertiser)

Great escape is on again

12:15pm Wednesday 25th March 2009

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Andover 20 Kingston 8.

Oakwood sponsored Andover welcomed Kingston to the Goodship Ground in a rearranged fixture.

The hosts were once again forced into several changes, which meant a welcome for 18-year old fly-half Tom Griffiths for his first appearance for the seniors. On a sunny and dry day Andover were looking to use the pace, power and youth they had in their back division to pressure the Kingston defence. It was however the forwards who got onto the score sheet first. After several phases Andover were awarded several penalties out wide which they kicked to the corner and Marc Wilding was able to get behind the defence and score in the corner to give Andover an early five point lead.

After that the All Blacks appeared to switch off and a penalty allowed the visitors to gain good territory and with a fortuitous bounce their winger beat the last tackle to score out wide to bring the game level at 5-5.

A further penalty from the away side gave them the lead and at half-time Andover knew that they needed to up their performance. Kingston began to dominate the scrums and as they attacked down the left flank Wilding impeded the Kingston winger and was sent to the bin for ten minutes.

The game changed for Andover, as down to 14 men they upped their defence and at the breakdowns the young trio of Alex Morgan, Pete McDowell and Martin Klee were working overtime to try and disrupt the Kingston ball. Front rowers Lloyd Heggie and Tom Waite put in several good tackles and in the backs centre Nick Rowe and Tom Griffiths were rushing up in defence to limit the time the opposition three-quarters had on the ball. Winger Dan Pearson prevented an almost certain score and with Wilding returned Andover scored when neat hands from Rowe and Griffiths found Pearson on the left wing, who beat his opposite number and the full back before offloading to Kane for an easy run by the posts and restored Andover’s lead to 12-8.

A penalty made it 15-8 then an exchange of inter-passing between Pearson and centre Nick Rowe saw the latter sprint clear but Pearson was adjudged to have put a foot a touch. The final play saw Wilding make up a brace as he scored in the corner to win 20-8. Young Tom Griffiths had a good game at fly half and with Callum Staff returning tomorrow Andover are now at last seeing the youth coming through at senior level. This win takes them off the foot of the table.

Tries: Wilding (2), Kane Con: Wilding. Pen: Wilding.

More reports and pictures in Friday's Advertiser

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