Andover 20 Basingstoke 17

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.’