Chichester 46 Andover 12

It was a day to forget for Saxon Safety sponsored Andover as they succumbed to league leaders Chichester on the road last Saturday.

The much changed ‘All Blacks’ put in a plucky battling performance, but in the end could not prevent the home side completing a bonus point victory.

A closed motorway did not help things as Andover arrived late, leading to a fifteen-minute delay in kick off. So a slow start was understandable, and Chichester took full advantage with two early tries as Andover tried to organise.

After just fifteen minutes they scored again before Andover suddenly clicked into gear.

Elliot Byrne impressed in the loose as he and Callum Barber Starkey went close, before an unfortunate decision at scrum time led to a further try that all but handed the home side the game.

Andover could have folded, but they once again showed all the spirit they have in recent weeks. A try saving tackle from Matt Gates was followed by a scintillating break by Callum Hollinshead, ended with a high tackle and yellow card for Chichester.

Andover made a couple of changes at the break and were soon on the front foot. The excellent louis Shinton made a superb turnover and with Harvey Maloney looking very dangerous, Andover soon had field position.

Nic Reed Kieran Bush and Samson Earle carried hard before man of the match CJ Feirn sent Sean Higgins over to score a fine try converted by Feirn.

Soon after Bryn Waite made a vital tackle on the Andover line and from the breakout Feirn produced a wonderful piece of play, collecting a low pass and chipping over the defence to score.  

If a comeback looked on it was short-lived as Chichester showed their pedigree and retook control with two more tries and to compound things Tom Erskine went off with an injury.

Andover did not give up and produced a lightening counter attack involving debutant Ed Davis, Maloney and Waite, with Gates unlucky not to finish, but in the end the home side ran out deserved winners.

Afterwards  Director of Rugby Andy Waite said ‘ with all the changes and other difficulties we can be proud of the performance. This was one where the result could easily have got out of hand, but we fought hard and came away with heads held very high’