Basingstoke 28 Andover 37

Saxon Safety sponsored Andover produced a fine display of running rugby to record a superb win on the road at resurgent neighbours Basingstoke.

The in form home side lay in third place in the league and on a beautiful day for rugby, in front of a large noisy crowd, they must have fancied their chances. But it was  the ‘ All Blacks’ who dominated for the most part and in the end could easily have won by a bigger margin.

The Andover front row of Nic Reed, Callum Barber Starkey and James Reeder were outstanding and with Callum Hollinshead and Kieron Bush imperious at the lineout Andover had lots of good possession.

Skipper CJ Feirn was everywhere in the back row as Andover forced their opponents on to the back foot, gaining territory and once in the Basingstoke twenty two, the forwards stayed much more patient with the ball, creating space for Reed to crash over for the opening try converted by Retallick.

To their credit Basingstoke worked hard to be ambitious with the little ball they had from set play, and as Andover switched off a little in defence, they drew level and then took the lead with two tries in quick succession.

Stunned into action Andover soon retaliated with some excellent running orchestrated by Alex Kane from fly half and Stan North in the centre.

Basingstoke were run ragged and with Tom Erskine and Jake Dixon heavily involved, another set of dominant phases in the home red zone led to the lively Sean Higgins finding Barber Starkey, who needed no second bidding to crash over.

Retallick was again successful with the conversion and soon added a penalty as Andover stretched their lead, but they then spurned a couple of guilt edged chances to go further in front before half time.

After the break the game opened up for Andover. Reed and the fleet footed Bryn Waite both made excellent breaks, but could not find the scoring pass as Andover again dominated possession. 

Undaunted, Andover attacked again and this time a wonderful pick up from man of the match Jake Kane saw him go in for a try converted by Retallick. 

Basingstoke struck back again as the Andover defence allowed too much space through the middle, but a third penalty from Retallick stretched Andover further away, before from a scrum on the 22, Higgins fed Jake Kane to score his second and put Andover out of sight.

Basingstoke did grab a late try to gain a bonus point, but with five points on the road Andover were jubilant.

Afterwards coach Charlie Waite was full of praise for his side ‘ I felt in the main we were excellent today both in set plays and with ball in hand. We are still a developing side and there are work ons for sure, but when we play like this its a joy to watch.’