23/24 Results

Have a look through the 23/24 results and match reports below!

First XV | Second XV | Third XV | Women

MENS FIRST XV

Swanage & Wareham

29

—

22

Andover

SAT 13 APR

3:00PM

Swanage & Wareham Rugby Club Wareham

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover made the long journey to Swanage last Saturday in the first round of the Papa Jon's national cup, and came away empty handed in controversial fashion.

A try for the home side with the last play of the game ended Andover's season, after a niggly game in which the referee simply would not allow Andover to utilise their very dominant scrum.

With a much changed team Andover took a while to settle and found themselves two tries down in ten minutes.

As Andover grew in confidence they mounted repeated attacks with Callum barber Starkey outstanding, but when a dangerous dump tackle on skipper Tom Waite yielded no sanction, Andover knew they were in for a difficult afternoon.

Andover continued to press with Tom Waite and Roman Barton Knott both going close but the home side survived and on the half hour they looked like they had struck the fatal blow with another try out wide well converted.

As though stunned into action by the injustice of some of what was going on, Andover suddenly upped the intensity and when Ioan Gwynne Davies pulled a try back things looked a little brighter.

Then just on the stroke of half time, quick ball saw Charlie Waite feed Stan North and the giant center finished neatly with Rich Retallick converting.

Andover lost Barton Knott to injury and Louis Shinton moved into the back row for his seasonal debut and the nineteen year old did superbly well.

Max Graham returning from injury took the full back spot and as the game resumed Andover once again needed to reorganise.

The home team took advantage adding their fourth try but Andover with the wind now at their back didn't panic.

Ten minutes later Gwynne Davies grabbed his second after being put cleverly away on the blind side by Fin Waite.

Andover continued to go close but several times were judged to have been held up over the line allowing Swanage to clear with drop kicks.

Then with five minutes to go Andover drew level.

A great break and good hands by Fin Waite and Tom Waite was finished excellently by Fergus Burtt and Andover were seemingly back in business.

Then came the moments that changed things.

Swanage themselves were judged to be held up by the Andover defence, but bizarrely instead of being awarded the drop clearance kick, the referee awarded the home side an attacking scrum and when they went blind Bryn Waite was adjudged to have tackled high and with the last play of the game Swanage grabbed the winner.

After the game Director of rugby said ' I felt our front five of Toby Dixon, Tom Waite, James Monck, Tom Erskine and Jake Dixon, completely dominated the forward battle, especially at scrum time, but that dominance was never rewarded by the penalties it deserved and allowed the home team into a game they shouldn't have been in. It was a tough one to take, but I can only praise the effort made by those who came into the side and especially Harry Foxwell who travelled just to make sure we had a bench.'

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Bournemouth II

7

—

59

Andover

SAT 06 APR

3:00PM

Bournemouth Rugby Club Christchurch

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover made the long journey to Bournemouth last Saturday knowing a win would see them promoted to level six of the National pyramid for the first time in almost twenty years, and they finished the job in some style with nine try blitz of basement side Bournemouth 2.

In another sparkling away performance Andover blew away their relegated hosts, who despite their poor season showed plenty of spirit in this one.

Andover began playing up a slope and against a significant wind and looked a little nervy to begin with.

Bournemouth enjoyed possession and attacked for several phases, but sound tackling from Bryn Waite, Jake Dixon and Tom Waite stopped them in their tracks.

After ten minutes Andover took the lead. A sweeping move involving Dixon, Stan North and Stan Pearson set Tom Erskine away and the big lock needed no second bidding with Rich Retallick converting.

Andover began to press harder and five minutes later, from a penalty awarded for offside, Ioan Gwynne Davies tapped and went quickly to increase the lead with Retallick again converting.

Although comfortable enough Andover were not at their cohesive best and spurned several chances. Scrum and lineout, were dominant and Andover had plenty of the ball.

Nic Reed carried hard with Callum Barber Starkey and Callum Hollinshead also prominent, but too often Andover were wasteful when they should have scored.

On the half hour however they struck what seemed to be a fatal blow. From a lineout ten meters out, the impressive Bryn Waite took the ball short and evaded the cover to score a neat try.

Bournemouth then had their best spell but Andover defended stoutly and looked comfortable, until right on half time when a defensive misread allowed Bournemouth in for a try converted from out wide.

After the break Andover reorganised with Roman Barton Knott coming on for his first outing after a long injury break.

Andover immediately attacked down the slope with the back three of Harrison, Pape, James Fleet and Fergus Burtt now more able to get involved in running at open space.

Almost immediately the excellent Niko Rowe stole possession and set off on a thirty meter run carried on by Tom Waite, Pearson, and North, for Barber Starkey to dash over for the bonus point try.

From then on it was all Andover as they ran everything at the home side.

Another flowing move saw Pape go close before North finished well, but Andover suffered a blow when Pearson went off injured.

Fin Waite entered the fray to impressively play his first ever game at Loosehead, as Andover continued to dominate up front.

Soon, another flowing move involving Reed, Rowe and Pape, sent Burtt over and then North completed his brace with a thirty meter interception.

He was then replaced by James Hague with Bryn Waite moving to the wing.

Andover continued to run riot as Barton-Knott interchanged superbly with Pape to score a lovely try and once again a fine Rowe break put Gwynne Davies in for his second.

Retallick finished the scoring with his seventh conversion of the day as the celebrations began.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said 'This has been a monumental effort by these lads to achieve promotion in such a difficult way. They have been immense all season and today typified it, as there were so many good performances I couldn't award a man of the match. We know next season is going to bring real challenges in a different way, but we're up for the adventure. Well done to the boys and all concerned.'

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Andover

41

—

19

Havant II

SAT 23 MAR

3:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover took a huge step towards promotion with a comprehensive victory over third placed Havant at the Goodship ground last Saturday.

It's firmly in Andover's hands now as victory in their last game away to bottom side Bournemouth in two weeks time, will confirm their rise to level six of the national league pyramid for the first time in their history.

Havant as always brought a very quick and competitive team for this one, but Andover were in no mood to show the generosity they have in their last two games and despite playing up the slope dominated almost from the start.

The return of James Monck and Nic Reed added extra power to an already impressive scrum and the Andover lineout was again virtually faultless supplying Andover with a lot of ball.

When Havant did have the ball, they found the Andover defence, led by man of the match and Vice Presidents player of the year, Jake Dixon, in a very aggressive mood.

Dixon, the impressive Callum Barber Starkey and excellent Niko Rowe, were impassable in the first quarter as Andover turned the screw.

On fifteen minutes Andover took the lead via a lineout move between brothers Bryn and Tom Waite with the hooker capping another fine display with a try.

Five minutes later Bryn Waite was again involved when his run set up a swift handling move involving Rowe, Stan North and Harrison Pape, superbly finished by Reed.

It then only took another five minutes for Andover to take complete control.

From a ruck big second row Tom Erskine showed a deftness of touch to put North away and the giant centre smashed through with Rich Retallick converting.

Before the break Erskine grabbed a try of his own finishing a good catch and drive with Retallick again on target.

Two minutes into the second half and Andover struck again. A brilliant break by Barber Starkey was carried on by Rowe and skipper Alex Hibdige, who put in a lovely pass for Bryn Waite to finish in the corner.

A late hit saw Waite leave the field to be replaced by Callum Hollinshead and Havant receive a yellow card and Andover awarded a penalty from the restart for foul play.

Andover piled on the pressure and after five minutes that man Erskine grabbed his fifteenth of the season driving over from a ruck.

Andover then took their foot off the gas believing the job was done and Havant immediately showed what a good side they are scoring tries in quick succession.

Andover rang the changes with Stan Pearson and Fergus Burtt entering the fray, and with the ship steadied Rowe set off on an incredible run to set up field position from which Reed completed his brace to complete the Andover scoring.

Havant did manage a late consolation but it could do nothing to quieten the large Andover crowd as they celebrated an important victory.

Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said ' This was a fine win against a good side but we haven't reached the finishing line just yet. We still have a tough away game to go and only then can we relax. My thanks to our skipper Alex who will miss the last game after a thumb operation, he's been superb all year.'

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Eastleigh

24

—

27

Andover

SAT 16 MAR

3:00PM

Eastleigh Pirates Rugby Eastleigh

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

It was real do or die stuff at Eastleigh pirates last Saturday, as Saxon Safety sponsored Andover once again over came very tough opposition with a late late show.

Andover went into the game knowing only a bonus point win would do if they were to maintain their promotion push but it proved anything but straight forward, against a home side that have struggled a bit this season, but came out all guns blazing for this one.

Played on a very soft boggy pitch Andover struggled to get their quick offloading game going at times and never really dominated the game in the way they can.

Behind a strong scrum and a lineout where Bryn Waite and Callum Hollinshead were faultless under the excellent throwing of Tom Waite, Andover enjoyed plenty of possession but they were often wasteful with it and after ten minutes paid the price as Eastleigh struck a penalty to take the lead.

Fifteen minutes later it got worse for Andover as a fired up home side stretched their lead with a well taken converted try.

Andover suddenly woke to the danger and for the last fifteen minutes of the half finally took some control.

From an excellent catch and drive Tom Erskine went over for the big second row's thirteenth try of the season and then a sweeping handling move involving man of the match Jake Dixon, Stan North and Mitch Needham, saw Jake Harwood finish well in the corner to level things at half time.

After the break Eastleigh again came at the 'All Blacks' hard but after a spell of defending Andover struck.

Another fine handling move involving Harrison Pape, Tom Waite and Niko Rowe, saw Needham gallop into the corner to at last give Andover the lead with Rich Retallick converting.

If anyone thought Eastleigh would roll over they were wrong. The home side through their experienced ten and twelve continued to cause problems and fifteen minutes later the drew level with a second try.

As the game went on Andover grew more tense knowing they needed a fourth try to get the win and bonus point they needed.

Unphased, young flanker Bryn Waite fielded a speculative kick in his own half and set off on a run past three defenders before giving a lovely scoring pass for Harwood to neatly finish his brace.

Surely it was done now, but no. Almost from the kick off a defensive howler let Eastleigh in again and they took full advantage to take the lead again with only minutes left.

Disaster loomed for Andover but with Tom Waite driving them forwards and Dixon playing like a man possessed they forced themselves up the field.

Big carries by Stan Pearson and Erskine gained good field position and when Eastleigh were penalised on their line, that man Ioan Gwynne Davies, reacted quickest with a tap and go to give Andover the last gasp win they so desperately needed.

All is set now for Saturday's home game against Havant where victory will almost certainly see Andover promoted.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said ' The pitch was a great leveller today and these are the games where promotion is won or lost, not on sunny days at home. We dug deep and showed tremendous character, epitomised by the efforts of Rob Sutherland against his old club. We would love it if as many people from Andover as possible can come to the Goodship Saturday and help your boys finish the job.'

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Portsmouth

36

—

15

Andover

SAT 09 MAR

3:00PM

Portsmouth Rugby Club Portsmouth

MATCH REPORT

Andover

59

—

22

Trojans

SAT 02 MAR

3:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover continued powerfully forwards, in their quest for a first ever promotion to level six of the national rugby pyramid, with nine try destruction of Trojans.

Andover welcomed two new signings full back Mitch Needham and stand off Matt Ryan for this one, and both impressed with Ryan coming off the bench to grab a neat brace of tries and controlling the game on the gain line.

Needham too grabbed a try of his own in a sparkling display, adding even more pace to an already electric Andover back division.

Andover began the game slowly and made a few errors to give Trojans an early lift. The visitors were wide with a penalty, but soon took the lead when their standoff danced through an unusually hesitant Andover defence.

Andover responded immediately and in some style. A superb break by the impressive Jake Dixon led to a ruck from which Niko Rowe put Needham in for his first 'All Blacks' try with Rich Retallick converting superbly from wide out.

Soon after Trojans re took the lead with a penalty before Andover finally began to take control.

On 20 minutes Callum Hollinshead again cleverly combined with Tom Waite to send the hooker over and minutes later scrum half Ioan Gwynne Davies went through a gap and won a thirty meter race to the line, with Retallick on target both times.

Tom Erskine was then held up over the line from a catch and drive before Needham set Stan North away on a fifty-meter counter, with the giant center running over the Trojans defence to finish.

Just before the break Andover put the game out of sight when man of the match Ryan McGealy took his umpteenth lineout to set Erskine up to make amends for his earlier close call.

After the break with prop Stan Pearson now in the fray, Andover continued to pile on the pressure. A fine break from Jack Stott allowed Ryan to glide under the posts for his first try before the same player interchanged with Gwynne Davies to complete his brace.

Andover welcomed back Bryn Waite from long term injury to add even more pace to the game.

Next up was a breathtaking try. A wonderful break from the ever impressive Rowe set Harrison Pape away and he needed no second bidding to complete the score.

Trojans to their credit struck back with a score from a catch and drive but Andover then completed their scoring with another great effort.

Erskine fed the excellent Stott on half way and the flying winger rolled back the years to canter under the posts, with Retallick grabbing his seventh conversion of the day.

Trojans did manage one more consolation score at the end of the game but it didn't dampen the celebrations as Andover march on.

Afterwards director of rugby Andy Waite said 'I thought after a slow start we played really well today, with Callum Barber Starkey again epitomising what we are about, still sprinting around making big tackles in the 80^th minute. Promotion is a complex business if you don't finish top of the league, so we'll see where we are in a couple of weeks, but with this kind of spirit we must be in with a real chance.'

Click here to see the photos!

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Gosport & Fareham

28

—

33

Andover

SAT 17 FEB

2:30PM

Gosport & Fareham Rugby Club Gosport

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover successfully negotiated another very tricky away day last Saturday at fourth placed Gosport and Fareham, to continue their promotion push in Hampshire Counties one.

Injury and unavailability once again led to several changes and Andover not able to field a full bench, but such is the strength of their squad these days, it barely mattered as in the end they ran out fairly comfortable winners.

After a long journey Andover arrived a little late and started slowly as the home side predictably came at them from the start.

Two early penalties put Gosport in front, but on eight minutes Andover shook off the journey, and when a lovely move involving Harvey Maloney, James Monck and Jake Dixon led to a penalty, Callum Hollinshead linked superbly with the excellent Tom Waite from a short lineout for the hooker to grab the first of his brace, with Rich Retallick converting superbly from wide out.

Undaunted Gosport kept on pressuring Andover with a strong wind at their back, as the game ebbed and flowed, but after 25 minutes Tom Erskine was on hand to force his huge frame over after a series of forward drives to increase the Andover lead.

Almost immediately a poor error from Andover allowed the home side to score in the corner and when they lost Roman Barton Knott to injury, with half time approaching Andover were forced to defend strongly.

After the break Andover had the wind in favour and with Ioan Gwynn Davies pulling the strings and James Hague making big meters, soon pressured the Gosport defence.

Smart work from young debutant James Wallace on the wing, led to a Stan North break and when he was held up Nic Reed was on hand to finish with Retallick again converting.

With man of the match Callum Barber Starkey everywhere Andover began to dominate and from a scrum a superb backs move led to Maloney stretching over for a fine try in the corner with Retallick again converting superbly.

Gosport bravely answered back with a try of their own but with Trenton Small on for Monck, Andover scored the try of the game and the job looked done.

North broke powerfully from his own 22, fed Harrison Pape, and when his dash to line was halted North was again on hand to feed Tom Waite for his second try and with Retallick again doing the honours, the contest looked over.

Gosport however were having none of it and when Maloney saw yellow they took full advantage to pull a try back.

Ten minutes later with Maloney back, it was Retallick's turn to depart the proceedings and as the clock ran out Gosport scored with the last play of the game to grab themselves two bonus points, but leave Andover very happy with a maximum haul on the road once again.

Afterwards skipper Alex Hibdige was in buoyant mood. 'It was always going to be a tough one today, it always is down here, but I thought the lads did very well in the end. Scrum and lineout were excellent and we scored a couple of brilliant tries. We've just got to keep it going now starting with Trojans at home in two weeks time.'

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Andover

49

—

14

Bognor

SAT 03 FEB

2:30PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Normal service was resumed at the Goodship ground last Saturday as Saxon Safety sponsored Andover blew away the challenge of a bright young visiting Bognor side, with a performance of power pace and invention, that was far too much for a team that ran Andover very close in the away fixture before Christmas.

From the outset Andover looked far more switched on than in the last two games and dominated every facet of the game possibly apart from the lineout.

The Andover scrum in particular was at it's destructive best from the outset, with the returning Ryan McGealy and Roman Barton Knott also adding a physical edge around the park.

From the outset the Andover front row of skipper Alex Hibdige, Tom Waite and James Monck were in the mood and within minutes Andover elected to scrummage a penalty giving man of the match Jake Dixon the chance to power over for the first of his hat trick of tries.

Just five minutes later the impressive number eight was at it again finishing superbly after a scrum against the head.

Bognor then enjoyed a good spell of possession but Andover turned in an incredible defensive set with Waite, Niko Rowe and Stan North all contributing hugely, before from another powerful attack, Tom Erskine fed North, who finished well to increase the lead further.

From then on it was all Andover.

Bognor tried manfully to stem the tide, but with such a mismatch at scrum time, and with the returning Ioan Gwynne Davies pulling the strings, it wasn't long before Dixon completed his trio and gave Andover a first half bonus point.

At half time Andover added Callum Barber Starkey to the pitch as the game opened up and his extra pace was soon a factor.

Almost from the restart Andover scored the try of the game. From an incredible counter attack involving the impressive Jack Stott, North and Dixon, Tom Erskine finished neatly.

Bognor were forced into uncontested scrums as the Andover pack steam rolled them once again, but it was the visitors who profited.

Bognor unbowed, came at the 'All Blacks' with the cleaner ball they enjoyed, and this time their flying winger made Andover pay with a fine try to add to the brace he scored in the first encounter.

Andover quickly regained control however with Trenton Small joining the fray, after Arlo Matley's unlucky yellow card, giving the impressive Harrison Pape counter attacking opportunities in the increasing open spaces.

His threat pushed Andover forwards again and when Rowe and North again combined, Rich Retallick popped up to score another very good try.

Undaunted Bognor came back again with another try of their own, but Andover finished the stronger with Pape finishing another fine attack to give Andover a convincing win.

Retallick converted all seven scores for a personal haul of 19 points as Andover stay in the promotion hunt.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite was pleased with the performance ' We improved a lot today and showed a lot more maturity in the way we played. The pack were superb, but the backs were also very good and although we probably left a few points out there it was very impressive.'

Click here to see the photos!

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New Milton

31

—

32

Andover

SAT 27 JAN

2:00PM

New Milton Rugby Club New Milton

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

A last gasp penalty try gave Saxon Safety sponsored Andover an unlikely victory and led to wild celebration, away to a spirited New Milton last weekend.

In a humdinger of a game, which Andover always knew was a potential banana skin, they looked dead and buried a couple of times, but this 'All Blacks' team is nothing if not spirited and somehow dragged themselves back in a dramatic finish.

In the first half a much changed Andover, looked lethargic and indecisive at times in contrast to the home side who took the game to them from the start.

Milton opened the scoring with an early penalty but Rich Retallick soon replied in kind for the visitors to level things up.

Andover then enjoyed a lot of possession without really threatening for a period before Milton made them pay.

Twice in ten minutes they opened up some hesitant Andover defending to score two fine tries to put themselves seemingly in control.

It was though a switch was flicked as Andover finally woke up to the danger their opponents presented.

Man of the match Tom Waite executed a clever lineout move with Callum Hollingshead to put Andover back in it with a fine try converted by Retallick.

As half time approached both sides exchanged penalties and Andover remained well in touch.

During the break Andover switched tactics relying on their powerful forwards more, especially at scrum time where skipper Alex Hibdige and James Monck were outstanding and Milton began to wilt conceding a string of penalties.

Max Graham and Charlie Waite used possession well as Andover began to dominate.

Before long the dam broke and from a short scrum the excellent Jake Dixon went over leaving Retallick with the simple task of levelling things up.

Undaunted Milton struck back immediately to retake the lead with a penalty followed by another similar effort as Andover continued to be ill disciplined.

Milton could sense they were back in control but once again Andover stormed back. From the kick off Tom Waite caused huge disruption with a big hit and with possession they went through phases before Hollingshead put Stan North in for a try with Retallick converting to give Andover the lead once more.

From the restart however Andover almost committed suicide. A decision to try and run from their 22 was soon regretted as a dropped ball gave Milton possession and with their best move of the game they scored a fine try well converted to take what looked like a decisive lead with moments left.

Once again however, Charlie Waite's pinpoint kick off gave brother Tom the chance to terrorise the Milton catcher, and with scrum possession the inevitable penalty followed.

After a catch and drive Milton offended again and Andover elected the scrum penalty. The referee indicated last play and two more scrum penalties and a yellow card later the he decided enough was enough and awarded Andover a penalty try as Milton collapsed the scrum again.

The relief to Andover was palpable as not for the first time this season they negotiated a very tough test away from home.

Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said ' In the end this was a very important win against good determined opponents. We didn't play well but we stayed in the fight and in the end our extra experience told up front. I'd also like to pick out the performances of Callum Barber-Starkey, James Hague and Arlo Matley who were all excellent today.'

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Petersfield

31

—

10

Andover

SAT 06 JAN

2:00PM

Petersfield Rugby Club Petersfield

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

It was a tough day at the office for Saxon Safety sponsored Andover RFC last weekend as they went down in a disappointing defeat away to league leaders Petersfield.

It was a game to forget for many reasons for Andover who lost four players to injury, but in a contest that was much closer than the scoreline suggests, they were left ruing their own inability to turn pressure into points.

Petersfield on the other hand were more clinical in the Andover red zone and despite soaking up a lot of pressure, took their chances when they came.

The game began badly for Andover with Bryn Waite sustaining a shoulder injury in the first minute that forced him from the field and disrupted Andover's lineout from the start.

The Andover scrum also creaked a little but Andover enjoyed plenty of possession in the Petersfield half.

With louis Pereira pulling the strings, Harrison Pape went close after good hands from Stan North but was adjudged to be in touch.

Andover knocked on the door repeatedly with North, Niko Rowe and Nic Reed carrying hard, and when North was late tackled, Ollie Carr Smith gave Andover the lead with a well struck penalty.

Andover continued to press but were wasteful and soon Petersfield made them pay when a weak defensive kick led to the home sides first try.

Andover continued to do good things, including a monster hit from man of the match Tom Waite, but too often followed that with an error.

The loss of Matt Green soon after left the Andover lineout in real trouble and although Bryn Waite returned to try and do a job, the normally unlimited supply of ball was not there.

Petersfield increased their lead before the break with a second try to leave the game still in the balance.

After half time with Callum Barber Starkey adding his pace to proceedings Andover again pressed repeatedly. Chance after chance went begging however and once again Petersfield made them pay with two further scores of their own.

Andover also lost Jake Harwood and Roman Barton Knott to injury to make matters even worse.

Andover finally struck back when good hands from North and Rowe put Pape in in the corner with Rich Retallick converting superbly to give Andover a chance of at least a bonus point.

Andover went for it and desperate home defence just about kept them at bay with, North, Jake Dixon, Rowe and Reed all going close.

But it was not to be and with almost the last play, Petersfield scored again to make sure their closest rivals left with nothing.

Afterwards director of Rugby Andy Waite said 'I'm more disappointed with the way we played than the result. We put Stan Bell in for his blistering pace, but we didn't give him or our other quick wide players a chance. The one time we did move it we scored and I think we need to think about that and put it right for our next game. We still have plenty to play for and are still well in the promotion hunt, so we will lift ourselves and go again.'

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Andover

84

—

5

Ellingham & Ringwood

SAT 16 DEC

2:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

It was the twelve tries of Christmas at the Goodship ground last weekend, as Saxon Safety sponsored Andover over ran the visiting New Foresters to finish 2023 on a real high.

In front of a large noisy crowd well lubricated by the Christmas lunch, Andover, wearing their brand new red change kit courtesy of Pikes coaches, served up a festive treat of their own, with a display of open running rugby that blew the visitors away.

Playing up the slope Andover took the lead after just six minutes when the returning Louis Pereira set man of the match Stan North away for a lovely opener.

Skipper Alex Hibdige soon extended the lead after being set up by James Monck and the impressive Tom Erskine and just ten minutes later, excellent work by Arlo Matley set Roman Barton-Knott away on a 50m dash for the line to put them further in front.

Ellingham were all at sea and moments later Andover sealed a first quarter bonus point when Matley finished a stunning counter involving Pereira, Niko Rowe and North.

Andover were relentless, and soon after Pereira again turned provider to put Nic Reed over from a quick tap penalty, before Bryn Waite set up a lineout drive from which Erskine continued his run of try scoring.

Before the break Bryn Waite himself dotted down after great work from Jake Dixon and brothers Tom and Charlie Waite gave him the freedom of the pitch.

After the break Andover understandably came off the accelerator a little but after ten minutes that man Pereira was at it again.

Ellingham enjoyed a brief spell of possession, but the young scrum half spotted their move from some distance and intercepted superbly to scamper over.

Andover brought on Trenton Small and Stan Pearson handed a first team debut to Finlay Anderson-Clark to freshen things up.

Ten minutes later great hands from Charlie Waite and North sent Rowe over for a lovely score, before the same player set up Matley to complete his brace.

Periera then again took center stage starting and finishing a wonderful counterattack, featuring a typical piece of elusive Harrison Pape running before the home side were reminded that the visitors could still bite back.

Ellingham never gave up and when given a chance by some poor concentration they crashed over for their only try.

With moments left Andover stung into action produced another piece of magic. Pereira again was in the thick of the action from the kick off and when Small went over for a very popular score the place erupted.

Rich Retallick slotted the final conversion to complete his perfect twelve from twelve and the players left the field to celebrate into the night.

Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said 'I thought we were superb today. Ellingham did their best but they met us on a very good day. Only two defeats in the whole of 2023 and we have improved so much over the year. We have big challenges ahead, but I believe we are building a squad and mentality that can really take us places.'

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Havant II

26

—

37

Andover

SAT 09 DEC

2:00PM

Havant Rugby Club Havant

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

In possibly their best performance of the season so far, Saxon Safety sponsored Andover overcame a very strong Havant side in their own back yard last Saturday to keep the pressure on leaders Petersfield and further consolidate their own second place in the league.

The game was played on Havant's all weather 4g pitch in front of a large noisy home crowd, not used to losing at home, so when the excellent Bryn Waite made a turnover that allowed brother Charlie to give the 'All Blacks' an early lead from a penalty there was little panic in the Havant ranks.

Soon after however the loud banter from the stands turned to concern, when Charlie Waite executed an excellent 50-22 to give Andover great field position and Fin Waite and Tom Erskine carried hard before Bryn Waite once again linked superbly with Nic Reed to grab the first of his brace of tries.

Havant woke up to the danger and launched an attack that Andover defended very well until a tap penalty caught them out and Havant pulled to within a point.

Unperturbed Andover roared back and won a penalty in front of goal. With scrum dominance Andover went for the try and when man of the match Max Graham fizzed the ball wide. winger Harvey Maloney finished superbly to increase the lead.

Andover then suffered a blow when Fin Waite pulled a hamstring, but the replacement hooker Tim Marx took full advantage of his opportunity and Andover continued to pour forwards.

On 25 minutes Bryn Waite stole a struggling home lineout and once again Nic Reed was the beneficiary crashing over for his second.

Havant are not a top side for nothing though and they soon had a spell of pressure of their own. Andover defended well but just before the break they forced their way into things with a second converted try of their own.

After the break Andover started badly and Havant gratefully exploited their generosity to pull within a point.

Andover settled however and introduced Arlo Matley and Ryan McGealy for his seasonal debut and both made an immediate impact.

Graham made another electric break and found willing runners in Bryn Waite and Matley, who's fine work allowed center Stan North to finish well.

Havant responded again and grabbed their bonus point try and took the lead for the first time again from a short penalty.

It would have been easy for Andover to crumble under the pressure but Andover turned to their dominant scrum to turn the screw.

Led by skipper Alex Hibdige the engine room delivered in the Havant 22 and that man Graham again set Stan North over for a try superbly converted by Graham from wide out.

Still not done Andover went for the kill as Havant tried to press, using the pace of Jake Harwood, Harrison Pape, Maloney and the influential Jake Dixon to terrify the hosts on the counter.

Matley won Andover a penalty after Graham was held up and when Bryn Waite won the lineout to set try machine Tom Erskine up Havant's resistance was finally broken.

Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said' This is a tough place to come but the locals here know their rugby and we think they appreciated what they saw from us. We scored six tries on the road again which is wonderful, but it was our defence and forward power that made the difference, and I'd like to single out Jake Harwood in this area, because fine attacker that he is, his defence is even more phenomenal.'

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Andover

59

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10

Eastleigh

SAT 02 DEC

2:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover consolidated their position in second place in the league with an emphatic victory over old rivals Eastleigh at the Goodship Ground last Saturday.

Fog almost threatened to stop the fixture, but in the end Andover were glad it cleared up enough, as they ran in nine tries to seal another superb performance.

Normally close opponents Eastleigh, apart from the first twenty minutes, were not themselves, and once the 'All Blacks' had weathered the early storm, excellent work by Bryn Waite sent Max Graham clear, and the young scrum half sprinted over with Rich Retallick converting superbly from wide out.

Andover poured on the pressure with man of the match Jake Dixon and skipper Alex Hibdige involved in everything and soon went further ahead. After a series of phases from another Graham break, George Goodridge and Stan North combined to send James Monck over again converted by Retallick.

Eastleigh hit back soon after with a try of their own but Andover soon regained control when from a lineout move Tom Erskine dived over for the first of his brace.

After the break playing down the slop Andover took total control. With Matt Green and Roman Barton-Knott adding pace to the back row and Fin Waite power in the front row, the forwards began to have a field day, giving the backs even more opportunity to exploit the increased space on offer.

From a goal line drop out Jake Harwood set off on one of his trade mark mazy runs to finish under the posts before Erskine added another from the back of a ruck, both converted by Retallick.

Eastleigh to their credit pulled another try back but Andover were relentless.

Dixon complimented his physicality with a pacey run from forty meters to score a fine try, and not to be outdone flanker Bry Waite did likewise from even further out, with Retallick again converting both.

Next a great run from the returning Tommy Lloyd on the wing sent Harrison Pape over for a lovely try before the same player completed the scoring late on after a fine break and offload from Nic Reed with Retallick completing the conversion to wrap things up.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said 'This was another fine performance from us. some of our young players like Arlo Matley are starting to develop into the higher level, and it was great to see Charlie Waite leading by example even managing some time in the back row. I'd also like to mention our former academy player Louis Davies who was Eastleigh's man of the match today, great to see him doing well there.'

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Bognor

36

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37

Andover

SAT 25 NOV

2:30PM

Bognor Rugby Club Bognor Regis

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover pulled off a superb win against the odds on the road in Bognor last weekend, to move five points clear in second place in the league.

This game was rearranged due to a previous postponement which meant Andover had several changes for the long journey and they faced a very well drilled home side at full strength for the first time this season.

The game began well with Max Graham slotting an early penalty to give Andover the lead.

Soon after however a misunderstanding in defence allowed the home side a free run to the line to take the lead.

Despite creaking at scrum time early on, Andover, with man of the match Bryn Waite to the fore in the lineout, began to gain the upper hand.

With good possession, Charlie Waite, making his seasonal debut after a long injury, sent a long cross kick which was well claimed by Harvey Maloney on the floor who combined well with Harry Scobie before finishing neatly.

Bognor soon asserted themselves again however with a penalty and a second try, before Andover immediately struck back through Callum Barber Starkey, after a clever lineout move with Bryn Waite well converted by Charlie Waite.

Bognor once again snuck in front through a penalty before Andover again drew level.

Bryn Waite again was instrumental counter attacking superbly from his own 22 before feeding Matt Green deep in the Bognor half, who in turn fed Fin Waite allowing the number eight to put Stan North in in the corner for a wonderful length of the pitch try.

Before the break however Bognor struck what they must have thought would be a vital blow, scoring a fine try through their pacey winger to take a half time lead.

After the break Bognor created some daylight with a further penalty before that man Bryn Waite was at it again.

He set off on another mazy run before linking with the excellent Maloney who combined with Harrison Pape to once again put Stan North powerfully in in the corner.

Andover suddenly smelled blood and when Fin Waite went over from a Catch and drive for a lovely forwards try converted by brother Charlie, they were back in the lead.

The same player then added a penalty and Andover at last thought they were in control.

Not so as Bognor once again struck back superbly as their winger completed his lightening brace, but with the conversion missed there was all to play for in the final five minutes.

Andover seemed comfortable with good possession until a spilled ball in midfield set up an incredible finale.

Bognor poured forwards time and again from open play, scrum and lineout but were met with ferocious resistance.

By now regular second team players Toby Dixon, Harry Ward and James Reeder had all entered the fray and all did superbly to hold the home side out.

Jake Dixon, Matt Green and skipper Alex Hibdige were everywhere and when after a knock on the referee finally blew for time Andover and their travelling fans erupted.

After the game Director of rugby Andy Waite said 'What a game of rugby, both teams were a real credit to the division. Our performance was a testament to the strength of our squad these days and I thought alongside Bry Tom erskine was immense.'

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Trojans

28

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47

Andover

SAT 18 NOV

2:30PM

Trojans Rugby Club Stoneham

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

If anyone thought after the previous week's try fest at home, Andover would be less adventurous in a difficult away game played in wet heavy conditions, they were soon put right as the 'All Blacks' once again turned in an incredible display of attacking rugby at Trojans.

The game was played on college pitches adjacent to the Trojans club due to waterlogging, on a pitch with very long grass, which could have slowed play, but Andover were having none of it as they attacked with great pace from everywhere on the pitch.

After going behind to an early penalty Andover immediately showed their intentions. A superb break by Harvey Maloney and Jake Harwood from their own 22 allowed Stan North to set up Tom Erskine and the big second row picked a great line through the defence to score with Rich Retallick converting.

Trojans responded with a good attacking spell, but when Callum Barber Starkey and Stan Pearson combined in the front row to take a scrum against the head and Retallick cleared forty meters up the pitch, they must have known they were in for a long afternoon.

Trojans pressed again but this time it was a superb steal in a lineout from the excellent Bryn Waite that thwarted them, and when the same player cleverly won the ball in a defensive maul, he fed the backs and as the ball got to man of the match Harry Scobie in space, the big winger took off on a sixty meter dash to score a fabulous try converted by Retallick.

Trojans answered with another penalty, but before the break Andover pulled further ahead.

More good lineout work from Bryn Waite saw hard working brother Fin take the ball on through the middle and when Billy Pollard set Scobie away he repeated the dose from forty meters this time, with Retallick again on target with the extras.

Andover knew Trojans were dangerous and would come back at them, and so after the break the message was put the game to bed as soon as possible.

Andover responded and almost from the restart Harwood was short by a whisker from a clever kick chase, but when the home lineout was again disrupted Erskine was on hand to increase the Andover score with his second of the afternoon to secure a try bonus point.

Andover with tails up went at Trojans. From the kick off North broke powerfully, fed Scobie and his big hand off and inside ball set Max Graham away under the posts, giving Retallick an easy shot at goal.

Soon after from a good lineout move, Retallick found Harwood's wonderful hard line and the winger again went under the sticks for an excellent try converted by Retallick.

Andover visibly began to relax and Trojans soon showed that against good sides that is an error.

They grabbed a good try of their own and when Graham saw yellow for a deliberate knock on they soon added another and then a third.

Any attempt at a comeback however was short lived when even a man down Andover put themselves out of sight.

From a good scrum Fin Waite fed Rettalick and when he gave the ball to North, the giant center went through three defenders to go over for a superb score again converted by Retallick.

Trojans did not give up and were happy to complete the scoring to gain an try bonus of their own right at the death.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said ' This was a tough assignment and the boys dealt with it very well. Trojans have improved a lot and never gave up. But we had several outstanding performances capped by Harry Scobie and not to mention skipper Alex Hibdidge playing out of position at tight head doing a magnificent job. A fine bonus win in a potential banana skin game on the road is all we can ask for.'

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Andover

57

—

17

Gosport & Fareham

SAT 11 NOV

2:30PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Saxon Safety Sponsored Andover produced their best display of the season last Saturday, to run out comfortable winners over top of the table rivals Gosport and Fareham.

Both sides came into the game with only one defeat in the season so far, but Gosport had no answer to the returning Ollie Carr Smith at fly half and the outstanding pace and finishing skill of man of the match Jake Harwood, who helped himself to four tries.

Indeed so good was Harwood, it's hard to choose which of his scores was the best as he tormented Gosport all afternoon.

Playing up the slope in the first half skipper Alex Hibdige's Andover began well, but were soon shocked by the visitors when at scrum time they were unusually sent backwards and conceded a penalty.

Andover soon recovered their poise and when a monstrous 50-22 kick from Carr Smith gave Andover a 5m lineout, Bryn Waite combined with brother Tom to send the hooker over for the opening score, superbly converted by Rich Retallick.

Gosport pushed hard to level, but when Bryn Waite stole their lineout on Andover's line, they were soon to rue the missed opportunity.

Andover countered and when Gosport returned a long kick, the first of Harwood's wonder finishes lit up the large home crowd. He collected a difficult bounce, managed to keep his feet and set off on a mazy run to score under the posts, with Retallick again adding the conversion.

Stung into action Gosport roared back at Andover and after a series of phases from their powerful forwards they eventually managed to dive over from a ruck.

Not long after they were at it again but some fine defending notably from Jake Dixon, Tom Erskine and the excellent Fin Waite kept them at bay.

Andover sensed that if they could match the visitors up front they had too much for them in the backs and with Max Graham and Carr Smith orchestrating things, they began to move the ball with real purpose.

As Gosport began to wilt Harwood struck again. Finding a gap on half way he streaked away and when Harvey Maloney's support run took away two defenders, Harwood outpaced the remaining cover to again give Retallick an easy conversion.

At the break Andover changed their set up slightly with Stan Pearson coming on at prop, Nic Reed to lock and Dixon to number eight and with the slope in favour the result was almost instantaneous.

The extra power nullified the Gosport forward threat and the backs had a field day.

Callum Barber Starkey came on for the injured Tom Waite and his pace around the park in support of the backs was too much for Gosport.

After set of phases, quick hands from Dixon and Carr Smith set the superb Harrison Pape in for a fine try, before he in turn did the same, for Maloney to finish neatly with Retallick converting.

Arlo Matley entered the fray on the wing as Andover continued to press.

Gosport would not lay down however and soon scored a converted try of their own after Pearson saw yellow, but this simply stung Andover into more attacking play.

Despite being a man down they terrorised the visitors with slick interplay and Harry Scobie took full advantage to finish strongly.

Soon after Fin Waite went clear and was felled by a high tackle when certain to score, but with no yellow or penalty try forthcoming, Gosport just about clung on in the game.

With Pearson back on Andover pushed even harder and Gosport finally broke.

Struggling to cope with the pace and power of Andover, tempers frayed and when an alleged punch saw a Gosport player sent off the game was up.

From the resultant penalty Harwood produced an incredible finish from a Carr Smith cross kick and then returned the compliment unselfishly feeding Carr Smith to finish, after another incredible break.

Retallick converted both before Harwood finished things off with another fine finish again from a Carr Smith kick through.

Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said 'What a performance that was. Gosport are a strong side but we played some fantastic stuff at times. Obviously, Jake and Ollie were outstanding but the whole side was excellent, and we ran them ragged. I thought despite a couple of controversial moments, the ref Rhys Cleary controlled the game very well and when he missed something, it was nice to see the chivalrous Nic Reed on hand to help him award a try to Gosport.'

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Andover

38

—

3

New Milton

SAT 21 OCT

3:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

In the first league meeting between these two sides for many seasons, Andover ran out comfortable winners against newly promoted New Milton at the Goodship ground last weekend.

Andover had disruption in the backs for this one with absence forcing them to play two forwards, Bryn Waite and Callum Burge on the wings and positional changes for the pacey and creative paring of Harrison Pape and Jake Harwood.

Up front Andover had no such problems and dominated at scrum and lineout from the off, despite scrummaging uphill.

The all-county front row of skipper Alex Hibdige, Tom Waite and James Monck, terrorised their opponents with Tom Erskine and Nic Reed contributing strongly from the engine room. And in the lineout man of the match Matt Green was once again flawless.

His back row partners Fin Waite and the excellent Jake Dixon carried strongly and were ferocious in defence giving Andover a solid platform that in reality they should have exploited further.

Young scrum half Max Graham had another good game and is showing his continued development, but he also took over kicking duties from the absent Rich Retallick and was flawless from the tee.

Andover scored on five minutes when Graham fed Stan North for a fine thirty-metre dash to the line.

Graham converted and soon added a penalty.

Four minutes later a powerful break from Tom Waite saw Harrison Pape put Harwood clear and when he superbly chipped ahead, Pape himself won the foot race to score a fine try again converted by Graham.

Andover continued to dominate possession but not for the first time this season were a little wasteful in attack. 'Milton' defended well but on several occasions Andover had good chances to score, but came up short.

The visitors scored their only points with a penalty, but before the break Andover suddenly came up with a try of quality, that shows what they are capable of when it clicks.

From an excellent lineout the ball flashed through the hands to Harry Scobie, who's majestic run ended under the posts to put Andover well in control.

After half time Andover continued to pour forwards but were still finding finishing difficult.

After ten minutes they emptied the bench and the replacements made an instant impact. Callum Barber Starkey, and George Goodridge added renewed vigour in the loose and Bruno Matley, making his seasonal first team debut, sharpened up the attacking threat.

Andover camped in the 'Milton '22 and in the end the belligerent defence had to give way.

After a series of scrums and lineouts, Nic Reed powered over for try superbly converted by Graham from wide out.

Five minutes later Reed was at it again. Excellent continuity from Matley, Bryn Waite, Dixon and Goodridge left the visiting defence in tatters and the big tight head prop needed no second invitation to grab his second.

Graham again converted to give Andover a solid bonus point win and make it a very satisfying five wins from six games in the first quarter of the season.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said 'We're setting our own bar quite high now, so I think some of the players will be a little disappointed with a few personal errors that probably cost us more tries. But whilst there are work ons, we should remember we had a lot of changes in the backs and they still all did very well and between them scored three superb tries. overall it's been an excellent first quarter of the season and the challenge now is for us to keep it going.'

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Andover

18

—

13

Portsmouth

SAT 14 OCT

3:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

It was a game of complete contrast from the previous week's try fest, as Andover struggled to overcome a determined Portsmouth side at the Goodship ground last Saturday.

The 'All blacks' were never really in trouble in this one, but a disjointed and inaccurate attacking display, left the game a closer one than it should have been.

Poor decision making and handling riddled the Andover display, especially in the first half, in a game that was very stop start and never really got going.

Andover fell behind to an early try from Portsmouth after falling asleep as a penalty shot hit the post and bounced back into play.

This produced a response from the home side who took control behind their very reliable set piece, and finally put together some dangerous looking phases of play.

Rich Rettalick kicked two penalties to put Andover within a point and they looked likely to take the lead.

Fine breaks from Harry Scobie, Matt Green and Max Graham all saw Andover go close but the final option continually denied them.

Andover lost Rettalick to injury at half time leading to a reorganisation in the backs, with the impressive Harrison Pape moving to stand off and Jack Stott making a welcome return to action, taking over the full back slot.

Andover began to look more threatening through their very pacey back line and when Jake Harwood took the ball in his own half, sold an outrageous dummy and outpaced the cover for a wonderful try, converted by Graham, it seemed Andover would finally break the 'Pompey' will.

The visitors had other ideas though and soon narrowed the gap with a penalty, but Andover kept pressing.

Matt Green was ruling the lineout and with Jake Dixon in fine form alongside Roman Barton Knott, Andover had plenty of the ball.

Andover lost replacement Robbie Duncan to an arm injury, forcing Fin Waite to return to the fray also nursing a knock, and soon after younger brother Bryn now deputising on the wing, was unlucky to be penalised when Andover looked certain to score.

Andover continued to press but with only a three-point lead needed the buffer of another try.

At just the right moment the experience of hooker Tom Waite came to the rescue. He combined with brother Fin in a clever lineout move that stunned Portsmouth to leave them needing a converted try and time running out.

They gave it a go but the Andover defence, with Stan North outstanding were in no mood to concede.

In the end with almost the final move, Portsmouth decided to kick a penalty and grab a bonus point, their efforts deserved.

Andover still had a further chance to extend their lead, but with nothing to gain, skipper Alex Hibdige made the sensible decision to kick the ball out and take the win.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said ' We were our own worst enemies today and have to learn to be calmer in possession and take advantage of our dominance. That said, as Nic Reed commented in the huddle, this is a game we may well have lost this time last season, so we have to be pleased with our resilience and game management. And what try by Jake Harwood who alongside Jake Dixon, was outstanding.

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Alton

21

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83

Andover

SAT 07 OCT

3:00PM

Alton Rugby Club Alton

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

In a wonderful display of attacking rugby Andover put struggling Alton to the sword at their own Anstey Park ground last Saturday.

Bottom side Alton expected Andover to be difficult, but the manner in which they swept them aside must have shocked them as the 'All Blacks' ran in twelve tries overall.

There were some sparkling performances led by Rich Rettalick with a personal 33-point haul and both Bryn Waite and Stan North with a hat trick of tries each, but it was so much more than the headlines, as the whole squad ran Alton ragged throughout.

Andover began as they meant to go on when after a fine break from Harry Scobie and North fed Bryn Waite who broke tackles to open the scoring.

Soon after a comedy moment from Nic Reed, stopping before scoring as he thought he'd heard a whistle, was rescued by a fine piece of work by Tom Waite that gave Retallick his first points from a penalty.

From the restart the impressive Matt Green took the ball and the equally impressive Jake Harwood and Niko Rowe fed Bryn Waite for an almost carbon copy of his first.

Moments later brilliant hands again from Harwood, North and Callum Hollingshead put in Rowe for a beauty and then not to be outdone by his brother Fin Waite dotted down from a pushover scrum.

Andover were unstoppable and soon after great work from Max Graham, Harrison Pape was on the end of another Harwood piece of magic to finish superbly.

Next up it was Harwood himself who finished fine work from Rowe and Scobie, but just before the break Alton showed some resistance with a nice score of their own, after Andover lost the unfortunate Hollingshead to injury.

After the break Andover started well but Alton pegged them back further with another score.

Andover woke up and went on the rampage with North finishing two moves involving some breathtaking handling.

The loss of Graham to injury saw Harvey Maloney make his seasonal debut and before long he had joined in setting Rettalick up after an incredible Stan Pearson break.

In defence Callum Burge was outstanding and that set a platform for another incredible handling move that saw North finish his third but Alton again bit back with another try.

From the Kick off Bryn Waite caught a loose ball and galloped away to score his third, before Rettalick scored his second to add to his penalty and ten conversions.

Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said 'After last week's disappointment the lads were determined to bounce back and they did it in some style. Great attitude, brilliant skill, loads of pace, a real joy to watch. So good all round, it was impossible to pick a man of the match.'

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Andover

5

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34

Petersfield

SAT 30 SEP

3:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

It was a tough day at the office for Andover last weekend as they endured only their second defeat of 2023 against a well drilled Petersfield outfit.

It was billed as a battle between two teams likely to be challenging for the league, but in the end, it was the visitors who looked the more likely, as Andover imploded after what they saw as a huge piece of injustice.

Playing up the slope Andover started brightly with good phases of possession from George Goodridge and Roman Barton Knott.

The Andover scrum began dominantly, and the ever-secure lineout was performing well through Bryn Waite and Matt Green.

But with the ball in hand Andover seemed edgy and it was Petersfield who eventually took the lead with a penalty.

Andover continued to attack and went close several times, but poor decision making was to cost them dear later as they struggled to score.

Eventually Petersfield did crack however and after a yellow card, a smart lineout move between Goodridge and Bryn Waite ended in a lovely try.

All looked good for Andover, but when they lost Rich Rettalick to a yellow card given for a perfect text book tackle, they rightly felt very aggrieved and allowed it to affect them.

Petersfield soon made them pay with two tries either side of half time, but going down the slope Andover still felt they could come back.

Restored to fifteen they enjoyed a lot of good field position, but time and again executed poorly. Even the much-lauded scrum and lineout creaked a little and too often Andover failed to move the ball wide when they had opportunities.

After fifteen minutes 'Field' made them pay again against the run of play when a quick free kick from a scrum caught Andover napping.

Andover shored things up with the extra physicality of Tom and Fin Waite coming into the back row, but even that was soon nullified as Tom Waite and an opponent saw yellow for a brief scuffle.

As the game continued Andover emptied their bench but to no avail as 'Field' ran in two more late tries to seal the win.

After the game Director of rugby Andy Waite said ' Against good teams you have to take chances and we didn't today. We weren't helped by Rich's yellow which was very harsh, but also we had some very good players out there who never really got going. We didn't stick to the game plan and we got punished. Back to the training park this week to put it right.

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Ellingham & Ringwood

25

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46

Andover

SAT 23 SEP

3:00PM

Ellingham & Ringwood Rugby Club

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

In an incredible match full of incident and controversy Andover came up with a splendid win on the road against Ellingham and Ringwood.

The home side, newly promoted and fresh off of a good away win themselves last week, promised to be difficult opponents for the 'All Blacks' and their large partisan crowd certainly roared them on throughout, but in the end, despite some big setbacks, Andover had too much in attack and ran in seven very good tries.

Problems started in the pre match warm up when stalwart centre Billy Pollard pulled up with a groin strain.

With no back on the bench Andover were forced to put star lineout jumper Bryn Waite on the wing and youngster George Goodridge came into hook, with Harry Scobie stepping across to centre and hooker Callum Barber Starkey going to the back row.

If Waite was missed in the pack, an imperious performance in the air by summer signing Matt Green made up for it as Andover dominated from the off.

Ten minutes in Andover suffered another blow when winger Arthur Ratuvou was also forced off injured with a nasty looking knee injury and Andover looked in real trouble.

Andover undeterred however used their big pack and ever developing offloading game to immediately pressure the home defence and took a good lead through tries from Tom Erskine and skipper Alex Hibdige.

Soon after they just failed to score again after a wonderful attacking move, but Rich Rettalick slotted a resulting penalty.

Goodridge was next up with a lovely try to cap his man of the match performance and Andover looked in complete control.

E and R had other ideas though and came back at Andover well.

They scored two good tries of their own and kicked a penalty to briefly threaten a comeback, but the superb Niko Rowe snuffed that out with a lovely offload for Jake Dixon to confirm the bonus point for Andover.

Then the wheels came firmly off for the visitors as Barber Starkey saw red for a high tackle and soon after Bryn Waite was given an inexplicable yellow.

Then replacement Stan Pearson went off injured and Andover had just twelve players on the park.

E and R took advantage despite some heroic defending and scored another try, but with still only twelve on the pitch Andover immediately struck back with Hibdige completing his brace after great work from Goodridge.

Back to thirteen Andover again went for broke. Max Graham was orchestrating things from nine and with Scobie carrying hard, they made more inroads.

Erskine grabbed his second try powering through the defence and Harrison Pape finished brilliantly after more good work from Rowe. Rettalick added his fourth conversion to wrap things up for Andover, before the home side grabbed a late score to take a bonus point themselves.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said ' Sometimes adversity can really pull a team together and that's exactly what happened today. To score three tries with twelve and then thirteen on the pitch against a good side is quite remarkable, and the manner of it was very impressive. hats off to all of the players who played.

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Andover

31

—

3

Bournemouth II

SAT 16 SEP

3:00PM

The Goodship Ground Andover

MATCH REPORT

Match Report:

Andover started their 2023/24 campaign with a dominant victory over Bournemouth in a strange game at the Goodship ground.

Andover had come off a strong preseason which had included an eye catching 50 point victory over Salisbury, who are technically the league above the All Blacks.

The 18 man squad included Debutants Matt Green, who is a summer signing from Marlborough, and 18 year old Academy graduate George Goodridge who is fresh from scoring the winning try for London Irish in the u18s Premiership cup final.

Both players show an increasing depth to an already impressive Andover squad and All of The All-Blacks quality was on show from the first whistle at the Goodship. Dictated by Scrum half Max Graham and Stand off Rich Retallick Andover settled into a nice early rhythm with the half backs feeding the evergreen Nic Reed and James Monk for some strong carries. The fantastic Roman Barton- Knott and Fergus Burtt made meters but Bournemouth stood resolute for the first 20 mins. Eventually Andover’s pressure told when centre Stan North smashed his way through the centre of the Bournemouth defence for a splendid score which was excellently converted by Rich Retallick.

Bournemouth then scored their only points of the game with a penalty, but the visitors had a real issue at scrum time that was being exploited more and more by the notorious black pack. Captain Alex Hibdige seemed to draw penalty after penalty from his opposite number, which allowed Andover to march their way up the pitch into the opposition 22. After some patient phases Andover eventually found their way back over the Bournemouth whitewash with Robbie Duncan crashing over from short range.

That was it for the first half with Andover up by 12-3. The second half began with Andover having to face a unexpected challenge. Bournemouth elected to go uncontested at scrum time with their front row options taken apart by Hibdige and Monk . This also meant the visitors had to drop to 14 players but Andover quickly infringed which saw them receive a team yellow to even the numbers. This gave Bournemouth’s young side more of a chance to attack Andover, but they found little inroads into the Andover defence with some huge hits from Billy Pollard, Jake Dixon and Callum Barberstarkey. Andover adapted to the change in scenario and soon found themselves back in the Bournemouth 22. This gave Tom Erskine, a regular try scorer last campaign, to score from the back of the driving maul after more fine work from the Andover forwards.

Man of the match Matt Green and the brilliant Bryn Waite were imperious in the lineout, a set piece that continued as normal throughout the game. Their dominance gave the Andover backs the chance to put some sparkle on the result. Pape found an inch of space after a fine move. He weaved through the Bournemouth defence to confirm the bonus point for the All blacks. Retallick converted giving Andover a comfortable margin.

The last 20 minutes of the game were rather disjointed. Andover had to tweak tactics and positions after some minor injuries and lost Robbie Duncan to a red card after the back row forward made head contact in a ruck. Those who have been watching the world cup will know that a mistimed clear out or tackle is likely to receive a sanction with the new laws in place this season.

Despite the red card Andover still found time to score a fifth and final try with lightning winger Jake Harwood stepping through the Bournemouth back line to run a fine try in from halfway. Graham converted and the game was over. A 31-3 victory to start the campaign for Andover. Comprehensive, professional and a statement. The early signs are good.

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