1st XV Match Report
Old Wimbledonians 31 - Andover 20 - Reports Dan Pearson
Oakwood sponsored Andover RFC 1st XV travelled to Old Wimbledonians for the last game of the season, knowing that either a win or a draw - ultimately one point - would keep them in the London divisions, but a loss would see them playing back in the Hampshire Leagues. This would be the last game for a few of the younger Andover players, due to University and travelling commitments next year. There was also a starting 1st XV debut for Phil Weller for the in the centres alongside Gerry Narruhn.
Andover did not start the game well, as indiscipline gifted the opposition the first score and they quickly scored a second straight after as they managed to tie in the Andover defenders and crash over in the corner. This gave them a 12-0 lead and Andover needed to up their work rate.
The Andover pack was dominant in the scrums, but the lineout was not working as well as it had in previous weeks. As Andover began to work their way into the opposition half, centre Gerry Narruhn made a typical break through the defence and managed to offload the ball to Stuart McRae in support who raced to touch down under the posts and bring the deficit back to 10-5. Narruhn adding the extras to bring the score to 10-7.
Andover missed the opportunity to further reduce the opposition's lead from a penalty and soon after Andover were back under pressure. Just before half time the Andover defence was tested again, as Old Wimbledonians were awarded a scrum five metres out, Andover were adjudged to have collapses the scrum and a quick penalty gave the visitors another score to take the half time lead to 17-7.
Stern words were spoken at half time, knowing that they were currently staring relegation in the face and they needed to work harder in the second half. However unluckily for Andover, Old Wimbledonians came out and scored another quick try taking their lead to 24-7.
To make things even worse for Andover, Old Wimbledonians had the luck of the bounce with the ball, as a kick downfield looked to be covered by fullback Pearson until the bounce which went back over his head into the hands of the opposition to score and take them further ahead, with a 31-7 lead.
With nothing to lose, Andover threw everything at the opposition and started to play some very good rugby. Andover kicked a penalty and then a break into the opposition half and a quick ball out to winger Pete Mort gave him the opportunity to use his pace and power to crash over in the corner, to reduce the lead to 31-15.
Then more free flowing rugby from Andover set up Steve Drawbridge to cross the line and Andover were now only 11 points behind at 31-20. But the referee then blew the whistle to end the game and left Andover's relegation was cemented.
It was unfortunate that Andover played Old Wimbledonians, who had one of their strongest sides out of the season, with players returning from university for the Easter break. Andover will also ask themselves why they could not have played with the spirit and determination showed in those final ten minutes of the game and indeed in this division.
For Head Coach John Crozier's thoughts on this game and what this now means for Andover, listen here to the interview with local radio station Andover Sound.
Scorers
Tries: McRae, Mort, Drawbridge
Cons: Narruhn
Pen: Narruhn