Andover 31 Portsmouth 28

For a game that was scoreless after thirty minutes, this turned out be a right humdinger as Saxon safety sponsored Andover took their first win of the season and a bonus point at The Goodship ground last Saturday.

Portsmouth are always tough opponents, and they will have taken some comfort from a stirring comeback in the last fifteen minutes snatching two bonus points themselves, but it was Andover, with a display of dogged defence and lightening counter attacks, who took the spoils.

Andover played up the slope in the first half and for both sides it looked like an early season game where pre season was severely disrupted. There were many errors, particularly handling, but as the half wore on the home team began to gel.

On 30 minutes a series of Andover attacks led to a penalty and from a resultant set move, quick hands from Sean Higgins saw the ball fly wide for Evan Roll to finish well with Rich Retallick adding the extras from wide out.

Portsmouth tried to hit back as a series of penalties gave them good field position, but were met with a ferocious defensive set from Andover where Ryan McGealey , Samson Earle, Callum Hollinshead and Kieran Bush were outstanding as time ran out for the visitors to take advantage of the slope. 

In the second half with slope in favour Andover began to really hit their straps.

Alex Kane was unlucky not to finish his own chip and chase but from the resultant lineout young hooker Leighton Myhill crashed over for his first of the season, again well converted by Retallick.

Soon after a handling error from the visitors saw Kane kick through and this time there was no stopping him as he raced away to score.

Andover lost Charlie Deaval and Retallick to injury which upset their shape a little, but just as Portsmouth thought they were making in roads, a wonderful piece of work at a lineout from Hollinshead saw him race away from 50m to score under the posts with Joey Yates adding the extras.

At 26-0 the game looked over but Portsmouth had other ideas coming back with two good scores of their own to give them hope.

With ten minutes remaining however Andover struck the blow that finally sealed things.

A brilliant turnover from Louis Shinton led to a pacey counter attack involving Roll, Bryn Waite and Yates that saw the ball moved to Bush and he needed no second bidding to score Andover’s fifth try, much to the delight of the large crowd, with Yates again adding the extras.

Portsmouth did score again to leave hope, but all Andover needed to do was manage the clock and although the plucky visitors did grab themselves two bonus points with the last play of the game, Andover knew they were home and dry.

Afterwards coach Charlie Waite was full of praise for his team. ‘This was a battling performance full of pace and adventure, but with a defensive set in the first half that was incredible to see. The guys showed incredible guts and determination today which will stand us in good stead going forwards.’