Three on the trot for brave All Blacks (From Andover Advertiser)

Three on the trot for brave All Blacks

11:14pm Tuesday 31st March 2009

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Andover 38 Old MidWhitgiftians 18.

Oakwood sponsored Andover hosted Old Mid-Whitgiftians at the Goodship and were looking for an improved performance from the opening game when they lost 60-0 to the Londoners.

Playing in their red and black change strip, Andover started well with the forwards dominating the set pieces but two early penalty chances were missed and the away side were first on the scoresheet as they worked the ball out wide to score in the corner. Although the hosts were dominating possession up front, the away side were again next to score to increase their lead to 10-0. Andover knew that they had the beating of Mid-Wives, but had to be patient before they would score.

As the forwards dominated the scrums it gave a great platform for Guy Wilkinson to break down the blind, chip over the oncoming defence and skilfully regather to score under the posts and reduce the lead to 10-7. The good fortune did not last long, as as a quick tap penalty caught them Andover off guard leaving them 15-7 down.

Centre Nick Rowe then broke through and drew the last defender to allow winger and skipper Dan Pearson to close the gap to 15-14.

In the second half Andover looked a changed team, playing with confidence and passion. Experienced fly-half Stu McRae returned from a facial injury, replacing young apprentice Tom Griffiths with pack leader Lee Cowley and fellow back row forwards, Alex Morgan, Alec McNair and the second row duo of Pete McDowell and Martin Klee putting in the work rate around the park. A successful penalty gave Andover the lead that they had deserved and they started to open up the opposition.

They were playing with vigour that has been missing in recent months and Kane was next on the score sheet, as Wilkinson took a quick tap and darted through the defence, he offloaded to Kane who juggled but held on to scoot over the line to extend the lead to 24-15.

As Mid-Wives chased the game, they looked to throw the ball wide and Rowe read a pass perfectly, intercepting to score under the posts. With the simple conversion the lead increased to 31-15.

Mid-Wives worked their way up field from a penalty and went for one last attempt to get back on the scoresheet. Tremendous collective open defence knocked them back time and again and eventually another loose pass was intercepted by winger Chris Reilly who ran almost the entire length of the pitch to score under the posts to leave the final score at 38-15.

If anything, the scoreboard could have been added to further, but for a couple of small mistakes, but nonetheless another valuable result.

This was a massive win for Andover, who move up another place and with two games remaining, separated by the Easter break, there is still all to play for to avoid the drop. If they can stay where they are, they will remain in the London Leagues for next season.

Tries: Wilkinson, Pearson, Kane, Rowe, Reilly Con: Kane (5), Pen: Kane.

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