Andover RFC pick up big away win against Eastleigh

Saxon Safety-sponsored Andover signed off on a fine season in style, with a 12-try blast on the road at bottom club Eastleigh last Saturday.

On a lovely day for running rugby, Andover had too much pace and guile for a spirited home team and dominated from the outset, despite at times not always quite having the cohesion they would have liked themselves.

Andover welcomed back Stan North after a month out but were without Joey Yates and Isaac Demesi on the wings, where Charlie Deavall and Evan Roll stepped in.

A try and eight conversions from Evan Roll. (Image: Paul Campbell)

Up front, the Andover scrum was always in control, but at lineout time, with leader Callum Hollinshead missing, Andover didn't always have the clean ball they thrive on.

Almost from the kick-off, a superb break from man of the match Alex Kane led to the exciting Bryn Waite and Deavall combining to put Kieran Bush in for the first try, converted by Roll, and Andover were away.

The home side tried to strike back but Andover defended well, despite being a little complacent, and before long skipper CJ Feirn added a second try from a break.

Moments later, another fine Waite run put Roll in for a lovely try he converted himself.

On 25 minutes Eastleigh did manage to pull a converted try back, but from the restart a piece of brilliance from Kane, who grubbered the drop kick, gathered, and raced away, set Feirn in for his second of the game.

Another brilliant performance from Alex Kane. (Image: Paul Campbell)

Next up, North joined in the fun with a neat chip and chase before Roll showed he could defend too with a thumping try-saving tackle.

Again the home side fought back and added a second converted try as the excellent Callum Barber Starkey saw yellow, but this did nothing to curb the Andover ambition, as a series of phases gave Kane the opportunity to score his first of the game.

Just before half-time Andover added a good score from enigmatic scrum half Sean Higgins, after another Waite break and Bush offload put him in.

Andover did not start the second half as well and lost Kane to a knock, before the home side narrowed the gap with a third converted try of their own.

That was as good as it got for them, however, as North added his second with a good individual break, before good work from Higgins put Matt Gates away, allowing Feirn to feed Deavall for another good try.

Kane returned to the fray and Deavall was soon at it again, creating space for Kane to sprint clear for his second.

Next, it was Ryan McGealy's turn to benefit from a Deavall break, and there was still time for Kane to complete a hat trick after a great tip-on from Feirn.

Kane converted two of his tries himself and Roll eight others to complete the scoring and bring a long season to a great conclusion.

Afterwards, director of Rugby Andy Waite said: "It's been a long road this season and we've used a lot of players in the first team.

"It's been a changing of the guard in senior players in many ways and a number of lads have really stepped up.

"The development of this young side under CJ's leadership is there for all to see."