Winchester II 15 Andover 38

It was another fantastic performance on the road for high flying Andover, as they put local rivals Winchester’s second string to the sword at their own North Walls ground last Saturday.

Winchester had their first team game cancelled and were able to bolster their team with a few players from that squad, but it was still not enough as the Andover performance drew praise from the large home crowd and visitors alike.

With a strong wind against, Andover started on the back foot, but soon showed their defensive intent against some powerful runners, including Andover old boy Will Wilson, with skipper CJ Feirn, man of the match Callum Hollinshead and Jake Dixon in outstanding form. 

Out wide the impressive Evan Roll and Bryn Waite were both equally impassable as Winchester couldn’t find the breakthrough and had to settle for a single penalty for their efforts.

Buoyed by their first quarter performance Andover began to make in roads themselves and when a superb Waite break led to fine work from Nic Reed who was held short, Roman Barton Knott was on hand to finish a fine try for Andover.

 Then came a moment of individual brilliance from Joey Yates that put Andover in the clear. Collecting a deflected pass from Reed on half way, the young winger chipped ahead, gathered the bouncing ball and outsprinted the cover to finish a wonderful try he converted himself.

Winchester again tried to come back, but Andover held firm and just before half time scored again. From a catch and drive, hooker Callum Barber Starkey collected the ball at the rear and crashed over for a decisive lead Andover were not to surrender.

After the break Andover brought on youngster Matt Gates in the back row and Fergus Burtt to the wing, both adding further pace and purpose to a very threatening ‘All Blacks’ side.

Andover were dominant at lineout time where Kieran Bush and Hollinshead gained plenty of clean ball and from another catch and drive, Hollinshead spotted a gap in the Winchester maul and galloped through for another impressive try converted by Yates.

Soon after however the afternoon turned for Yates as he saw yellow for a deliberate knock on and with a defender short the home team finally found space to exploit. Andover also had to reorganise further as the excellent Alex Kane had left the field with a knock.

In the confusion Winchester pulled one converted try back and thought they had another, but the powerful Wilson was held up by a brilliant piece of defence from Reed under the posts.

Then, despite being a man short, Andover attacked again setting up good field position with Sean Higgins and Jake Kane pulling the strings. 

The strong direct running of Gates set up a ruck and with James Reeder short, Feirn smashed over for his first try converted by Roll.

Winchester to their credit did not lay down and grabbed another try from their powerful replacement winger, but with Yates back on Andover turned the screw and Feirn completed the scoring with an interception breakaway again converted by Roll.

Afterwards Director of rugby Andy Waite said ‘Once again we had several changes and only two on the bench to try and meet our second and third team commitments. The lads continue to fight and show the strength in depth we possess and are playing some lovely attacking rugby. Two games to go and a top four finish is in touching distance.’