A much changed Saxon Safety sponsored Andover made the trip down the A303 to Gillingham last Saturday for a game between two of the basement clubs in the division, but came away empty handed despite an improved showing in many areas.
As well as injury and unavailability Andover made a couple of tactical changes for this one, with the inclusion of CJ Feirn and Callum Hollinshead in the back row and the return of the influential Alex Kane to the back line.
Despite arriving late after a difficult journey, Andover actually started brightly with Tommy Lloyd looking sharp. The scrum looked solid but
from the outset the lineout was under pressure.
On twelve minutes after a spell of pressure Alex Arter broke from a ruck and fed Jake Dixon for a lovely try well converted from out wide by Harrison Pape to give Andover a deserved lead.
Andover continued to do well but discipline was an issue as too many penalties were conceded giving away field position.
After twenty two minutes North Dorset made them pay. From a catch and drive Dorset not only scored but giant lock Dave Barber was adjudged to have dropped the maul and yellow carded.
The Andover scrum began to struggle and the home side sensed they were on top and soon scored a second try.
Andover tried to rally and with Barber restored and gave Dorset some problems, but then came a moment which gave the home side control.
Pape was clearly taken out in the air under a high ball which would surely have led to a penalty and yellow card for them, but play was waved on, and frustratingly from an Andover perspective it was they that were penalised. Once again Dorset capitalised to stretch the lead and before the break repeated the dose.
In the second half Andover played with more freedom and belief and looked like a side who wanted to play rugby.
Defence was also improved, but again a yellow card to the lively Mitch Needham didn't help.
Dorset increased their lead, but Andover were not done.
Ryan McGealy finished off a great spell of pressure after good carries by Kane, Feirn and Stan Pearson and Andover sniffed some redemption.
North Dorset tried to kill them off, but Needham now back on the pitch led an incredible counter.
Stan North broke superbly, interchanged with Needham, and Kane before setting the impressive Pape in for a try that he again converted well.
Andover could sense at least bonus points were possible but again small errors cost them. They looked good and dominated possession but in the end conceded a penalty for the home side to complete their win.
After the game Director of Rugby Andy Waite said ' We are looking for improvements in every game and today there were some. We looked after the ball much better and as a result looked much more dangerous going forwards. We have to keep going, work on our weaknesses and keep learning.'
