The 1st XV had a double header this weekend and on Saturday continued their impressive current league form when they downed a resurgent Camberley at the Goodship on Saturday afternoon. The dry conditions and firmer surface continue to favour Andover and after a stuttering start, the home side finished with a flourish, adding 4 unanswered tries in the second half.
Up front, the forwards dominated the opposition's much vaunted pack and were imperious in the set piece and worked tirelessly in the loose. Young
flanker Sam Fletcher looked energetic at open side, alongside the experienced and belligerent veteran No 8 Alec McNair whose tackle count and ball
carrying was second to none.
In the backs, Man of the Match, Fijian centre Gerry Narruhn (pictured left), had another assured game, getting on the scoresheet again and creating several opportunities for others. Utility back Alex Kane again proved an able stand in at scrum-half for the injured Guy Wilkinson and made some telling breaks in the loose.
Skipper Dan Pearson continued his good form and again look assured in both attack in defence when moving to full back and weighed in with the try of the match after good work from Narruhn. An injury to Rich Retallick saw the youngster already in plaster and crutches by the time the game had finished - with a suspected fracture of the lower leg - and therefore looks likely to miss the remainder of the season.
On Sunday a much changed side and several drop outs on the day meant that the hosts fielded a mixture of 1st & 2nd XV players to host Gosport
& Fareham in the Hampshire Bowl. Gosport, who had also played the day before in the RFU Senior Vase, proved they had greater strength in depth in
their playing resources and in the opening twenty minutes fired an unanswered 26 point salvo. That said after this the visitors remained scoreless and
in the second half youngster David Catt (pictured) weighed in with the All Blacks only try after a searing break from fly-half Chris Reilly put skipper
Dan Pearson into space before offloading the final pass to crash over in the corner. Despite the disappointing result, the home side showed good
character and could have easily folded and conceded a cricket score and they must take credit for that.
Elsewhere, both opposition sides cried off for the Hinds and 4th XV fixtures on Friday morning leaving no time to book alternative fixtures, therefore both squads mixed things up and had an inter-club friendly before watching the end of the 1st XV match on Saturday.
For all the reports and next week's fixtures visit the results page.
20th Feb - 50th Anniversary Reunion Match & Luncheon
For further information, please go to the 50th Reunion Page.
End of Season Tour - Exmouth - Fri 16th April - Sunday 18th April
Rob Good is organising and end of season tour to Exmouth, Devon and tour details are as follows:
Currently leaving Fri 16th April coming back 18th, but may change if season extended. Two games arranged, Withycombe RFC on the Saturday and Topsham RFC on the Sunday. Coach and hotel already arranged.
Cost is £150 for the weekend (including breakfast) with a refundable deposit of £25 which will be payable to the hotel on arrival and given back at the end, as long as no damages have occurred! Only 50 seats available on coach so £20 deposit required by 12th Feb and the tour is open to ALL players AND supporters.
Any queries, please email Rob Good or contact him on 07843 224383.
End of Season Awards Dinner - Fri 23rd April 2010
Due to the poor take up in previous seasons, the Annual End of Season Awards Dinner is now being marketed well in advance, in an attempt to encourage early sales up and selling out the event in good time.
For full information download the flyer.
50th Anniversary Season - 1959-2009
This season sees Andover RFC celebrate 50 years and to recognise this several events are scheduled throughout the course of the season. Executive Chairman Shaun Rule is co-ordinating activity throughout the season and is looking for helpers and volunteers to assist him in planning and organising events. For more information, click here to download the flyer.