Andover RFC

NEXT EVENT: GIRLS RUGBY FEST 19th OCT

WELCOME TO ANDOVER RFC

THE HOME OF RUGBY IN ANDOVER, AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY

FIXTURES / RESULTS

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OUR SPONSORS

VENUE HIRE

Experience exceptional event hosting at Andover RFC’s prestigious rugby club venue in the heart of Andover. Our state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated events team, and vibrant rugby community create a distinct and unforgettable experience for all attendees.

Choose Andover RFC as your venue partner, and let us create a truly remarkable event that will leave a lasting impression. Get in touch with our events team today to discuss your requirements and start planning an extraordinary gathering at our rugby club venue.

Please note: dogs are not allowed at the club at any time.

ANDOVER RFC CLUB HISTORY

Established in 1959, Andover RFC holds a special place within our local community. With the renowned Goodship Ground as our cherished home, we have made a lasting impression both on and off the rugby field for over six decades.

Our club embraces the values of community and inclusivity. From our dedicated academy players, starting as young as under 6, to our esteemed men’s and women’s senior sides, we foster a nurturing environment that empowers players of all ages and skill levels.

Discover more about our teams, fixtures, events, and our wide range of initiatives on our website. Join us to experience the unique camaraderie and unwavering support that define Andover RFC. Together, we are shaping the future of grassroots rugby and making a positive impact on our community.

LATEST RESULTS

Bournemouth II

10

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13

Andover

SAT 20 DEC

2:00PM

Chapel Gate Christchurch

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

In an incredible performance Saxon Safety sponsored Andover overcame the odds to defeat a strong Bournemouth side in their own back yard in the late December sun.

In a game typified by the spirit of centre Evan Roll, who injured a foot early on only to find it was broken after the game, Andover produced their most battling display yet to take the spoils.

Andover travelled again without a full compliment due to injury and unavailability, giving a debut to Andrew Young as replacement prop, and seasonal debuts to Finlay Anderson and Harry Ward, and all three performed admirably in what was to be a remarkable performance all round.

The many absences have given opportunities to others over the past few weeks and none has grabbed them more than back rowers Kieran Bush and man of the match Louis Shinton, who along with the impressive Callum Hollinshead were everywhere.

Bournemouth had fielded a young quick side and tried to out pace Andover with an expansive game plan, but they met an Andover back three even more skillful and fleet of foot than them, in Joey Yates, Isaac Demesi and Bryn Waite, and their counter attacking and linking the game with their pacey back row, caused the home side all sorts of headaches.

Indeed after the home side had kicked an early penalty, it was this mix that led to an excellent opening try for Shinton who exploited a gap created in the home defence after some superb interplay.

Tommy Gentleman was wide with the conversion, but made up for it with a well struck penalty to extend the lead to eight points.

Old stagers Nic Reed and Tom Erskine carried powerfully throughout and along with Samson Earle and Alex Arter dominated at scrum time and the only surprise at the break was that Andover were not further ahead.

In the second half playing up a significant slope Andover continued to dominate led by the incredible physical effort of skipper CJ Fiern and well controlled by Sean Higgins at nine.

Andover switched Waite to the back row and brought Ward to the wing as Andover pressed to increase their lead.

Bournemouth however had other ideas and after a rare piece of pressure they scored a good try to take the lead themselves.

Stung into action Andover went for broke, gaining good field position and hammering at the home defence.

After a series of close efforts on the Bournemouth line, Earle picked up from a ruck and finished powerfully for a well deserved try and Andover were back in front by just three points.

With fifteen minutes still to go Bournemouth had a real go, but they met a defence that simply would not give them an inch.

Hollinshead and Feirn led a charge that made tackle after tackle, forcing the home team away from the Andover line.

With Young, now on for Earle, giving everything at scrum time, Andover won some important ball and when Gentleman finally kicked the ball out to signal the end of the game, the celebrations began with the new 'Goodship sails' victory song ringing loud and clear.

Afterwards Senior coach Charlie Waite said 'After a very difficult week, to come here and put in a performance like that was unbelievable. Every player stood up and played their hearts out and to come away with the win was just remarkable.'

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Andover

28

—

15

Winchester II

SAT 13 DEC

2:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

On a great day for Rugby in front of a big Christmas crowd, Saxon Safety sponsored Andover overcame a good Winchester side to gain a five point bonus point win at the Goodship ground last Saturday.

Andover began the first half playing down the slope, but in the face of a strong sun which made life difficult for the back three under the high ball. Never the less, Bryn Waite and youngsters Joey Yates and Isaac Demesi, coped well with everything thrown at them and showed their pace and quick feet with some electric counter attacking.

Up front too Andover looked very strong, with a flow of lineout ball from Callum Hollinshead and it wasn't long before the pressure told when man of the match Kieron Bush crashed over from a ruck after a series of penalties on the Winchester line. Yates stepped up to strike a fine conversion for Andover to take a lead they were not to lose.

The front row of Samson Earle, Alex Arter and James Reeder dominated the scrums and with Hollinshead, Nic Reed and George Watson carrying hard Andover looked impressive.

Winchester were not top of the league without reason though and they came back into the game well, but met a defence, led by skipper CJ Feirn, in no mood to give ground. Bush was everywhere making key turnovers, but on 30 minutes the visitors finally struck from a well worked lineout move.

This seemed to galvanise Andover however who upped it a gear, forcing Winchester to concede ground.

Brothers Alex and Jake Kane marshalled the troops superbly with their pace and skill and with Sean Higgins orchestrating attacks from scrum half Andover poured forwards.

From a catch and drive Reed went over for the second try again converted by Yates and just before the break, a lovely chip and chase from Feirn, with Yates again successful, gave Andover a comfortable half time lead.

After the break Andover lost replacement Jacob Demesi to injury and moved the versatile Waite to the back row, to join Bush and the inpressive Hollinshead in his first game in the number eight role, and together they outplayed the Winchester back row.

Andover then lost George Watson to injury and Hollinshead then got a team yellow, and as Andover reorganised Winchester took advantage with a converted try and soon followed with a penalty to draw within six points.

Restored to fifteen, normal service was resumed for Andover. Youngsters Matt Gates and Jamie Banks both showed plenty of promise as Andover again took control.

Forcing their way up field Andover exerted a lot of pressure on the Winchester line but unlike other games recently, stayed patient and when they finally went for it, James Reeder smashed his way over for the winning and bonus point score again converted by Yates.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said 'Injury and unavailability have caused us huge problems in the past couple of weeks, but the lads who've come in, alongside some of the regulars, have been immense. Today we had Callum in his first ever game at eight, CJ kicking for touch for the first time and Joey kicking for goal for the first time in an adult game. For a team in transition the spirit of the side is fantastic and the future looks bright.'

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Andover

20

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17

Basingstoke

SAT 29 NOV

2:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover came out on top in a pulsating local derby at the Goodship ground last Saturday against neighbours and old rivals Basingstoke.

The visitors have been resurgent in recent months and sat second in the table before this one, but it was the 'All Blacks' who prevailed in the end almost willing themselves to victory with an incredible defensive set late in the game.

The game began with Andover playing down the slope and after a spell of good pressure, man of the match Tommy Gentleman slotted an early penalty to give Andover what in the end would be the decisive three points.

This was a young and lively Basingstoke side however, who soon showed they were inventive by taking the lead with a try from a cheekily taken short throw in. To make matters worse for the home team scrum half Alex Kane was forced off with an eye injury leaving Bryn Waite to deputise.

Behind a dominant scrum and lineout, where Roman Barton Knott and Callum Hollinshead were excellent, Andover roared back and soon were piling pressure on the visitors line and thought they'd retaken the lead after Waite went over from a fine snipe, only for the official to decide he'd not seen the ball grounded.

Then against the run of play, a handling error handed Basingstoke a second try which they converted for a comfortable lead.

Andover picked themselves up and once again pummelled the Basingstoke line. Under the pressure the visitors lost their discipline and were handed a yeallow card for persistent infringements.

With Waite now also off injured, Andover turned to their third scrum half of the day Louis Shinton and he soon showed he could do a job for his team with a superb all round display.

Andover kicked to the Corner for the catch and drive, but it was pulled down immediately by the visitors, leading to a second yellow in as many minutes.

Andover elected to scrum this time and after a succesion of drives Tom Erskine crashed over for a try converted by Gentleman.

Just before the break Andover finally retook the lead when a Gentleman cross kick was well fielded by Evan Roll who broke superbly before feeding Isaac Demesi for a lovely score.

In the second half Andover carried on where they'd left off dominating the game and after a series of phases going from right to left and back again, James Reeder crashed over to extend the Andover lead.

With the pack in control of set plays and lots of possession Andover looked comfortable even after the loss of defensive kind pin Stan North to injury, but with fifteen minutes left another silly error cost Andover dear as Basingstoke took full advantage to score.

With three points now the gap the vistors grew in confidence as Andover reorganised, but some superb defence kept them at bay.

Skipper CJ Fiern was oustanding and his efforts enocuraged his team mates, as Hollinshead, Shinton, Callum Barber Starkey and a huge hit from Kieron Bush weathered the storm for the home side, and when Basingstoke eventually knocked on there was no time for the scrum and victory and a much needed four points was Andover's.

Afterwards senior coach Charlie Waite said' I was so proud of this performance. We are so short due to injury and unavailbility, but the lads who've come in have been inspired. We dug it out with sheer passion in the end, with a performance eptiomised by an old stager in Tommy Gentleman and an 18 year old debutant in Joey Yates who were both absolutely superb.'

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Guernsey

23

—

15

Andover

SAT 08 NOV

2:00PM

Guernsey RFC

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover made the journey to the channel Islands at the weekend but left empty handed after a to say the least, 'controversial' call from a home touch judge.

The game was fairly even throughout and was always going to be tight finish after Andover had overcome a first half deficit to trail by a point going in to the last few minutes.

Rich Retallick was on target with an early penalty for Andover, but Guernsey struck two of their own in reply and added a converted try after a stream of penalties against the 'All Blacks' led to a yellow card for man of the match Sean Higgins.

Andover did not buckle though and just before the break came back with an outstanding try. A superb break from defence by Bryn Waite was taken on by the outstanding Stan North and he fed Harvey Maloney to provide an excellent finish to an end to end score.

The second half was also a very even affair. Andover took the lead with a Tom Erskine try created after hooker Jacob Demesi went close in the corner, with Retallick adding the conversion.

But with Demesi forced off, followed later in the half by both Erskine and Retallick, things did not look good for Andover. They regrouped however and especially at scrum time, where Nic Reed, Samson Earle and James Reeder were excellent, won a stream of penalties that should have led to a yellow card.

It was not forthcoming however and instead it was Andover who were given another, when Evan Roll was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock on.

Undaunted Andover defended bravely and with just moments left came the incident where they thought they had won it.

Callum Hollinshead made a wonderful interception on his own twenty-two as Guernsey pressed for the win and outpaced the defence to touch down under the posts where the referee awarded the score.

Andover celebrations were soon cut short however, by the intervention of a touch judge who said he had seen a shoulder charge three phases before the score.

The referee felt he had accept his decision, disallowed the try and awarded a penalty to Guernsey, and after yet another yellow card for Stan Pearson, Guernsey went over to snatch the win.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said ' We didn't play particularly well today but the manner in which we had the game snatched away was hugely disappointing. We just need to get back to working to our systems, because all of our defeats have been very close run affairs and with a bit more composure we can turn them into wins.'