A stirring second half performance was not quite enough for Saxon Safety sponsored Andover as they signed off for the season with another loss on the road at fellow strugglers Guildford.
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It was another tale of what might have been for the 'All Blacks' which has been the story of their season, as poor decision making undid a lot of good work.
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Andover began well with Harvey Maloney and Bryn Waite both shining in defence and the powerful Andover scrum giving opportunities for Matt Ryan to clear danger, despite having wind against.Â
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After twelve minutes however Andover lost second row powerhouse Tom Erskine to injury and as they reorganised Guildford took advantage with a catch and drive try.
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Andover however looked very strong and began to take the game to the home side with Nic Reed especially prominent alongside Jake Dixon in the loose.
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Ryan McGealy who had replaced Erskine, put in a huge hit on the Guildford number 8 leading to him leaving injured and Andover began to get the ascendency.
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Andover, with skipper and man of the match CJ Feirn everywhere, were unlucky to be held up over the line, but then shot themselves in the foot when a poor decision in their own 22 saw the ball come loose and Guildford as surprised as anyone to increase their lead to 12 points going into the break.
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In the second half Andover were much the better team and with wind behind them soon pinned Guildford back.
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from a catch and drive Guildford looked to have stopped the drive, but that man Reed had other ideas breaking away to core an excellent try well converted by Ryan.
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Once again, a poor decision to run out of defence cost them dear, as Guildford again must have thought it was their birthday to score again.
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Undaunted and encouraged by their dominance Andover poured forwards and the newfound organisation instilled into them by the coaching team was there for all to see.
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Andover pressed time and again but stayed patient and when the defence was eventually prized open, it was Reed who once again crashed over to score.
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With tails firmly up Andover, despite losing Waite to injury roared again and after waves of attacks involving Stan North, Callum Hollinshead and Rich Retallick, it was the forwards who once again finished it off when Reed combined with Same Earle to set Feirn over with Ryan adding the extras to bring the game level.
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Andover looked the more likely and went close to taking the lead with a penalty before disaster struck. Guildford tried another catch and drive and when it collapsed Reed was adjudged the offender and saw yellow before Guildford took full advantage to score.
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A man down Andover tried valiantly to draw level, with Mitch Needham prominent, but it was not to be as with the last play of the game Guildford sealed the win with a score against a tiring defence.
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Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said ' it was a shame we could not get the win today that our big improvements deserve. We have learned a lot this season and have shown in the past few weeks we can compete as this level. We need to take that learning into the level below now and use it to springboard us back to where we want to be.'
