1st XV Match Report
Andover 17 - Old Alleynian 34 - Reports John Crozier
Oakwood sponsored Andover RFC 1st XV played their last home game of the season knowing that a win would secure their position in London 3 SW for next season, unfortunately that possibility will have to wait for a further week.
It was a day of endings for the club as this saw Alec McNair play his last game before retiring on medical grounds. We also saw a string of younger players play their last home game, hopefully for a small period of time, as they go off to University and travelling. These included Alex Hibdige, Alex Kane, Chris George, Spencer Taylor and Luke Wilcox.
The game also had a very unfortunate start as stand in skipper and goal kicker Marc Wilding attempted a penalty kick in the third minute and unfortunately tore his quad in the attempt and came off a few moments after the miss. This was sadly not the end of the injuries, as it became clear after the game that full back Chris Reilly (torn shoulder ligaments) will not play in the final away game either.
Old Alleynians took the lead in the eleventh minute with a well worked try which was converted for 0-7. It was Andover who looked more like scoring next and in fact were held up over the line. The pack where dominant in every phase by this time and this continued throughout the game, often driving the opposition pack backwards and even taking a number of scrums against the head.
From the scrummage following the held up attempt, the ball was moved quickly and an excellently executed move with perfect timing resulted in a classy try by Reilly to make it 7-7, converted by Jerry Narruhn.
On the half hour the next score game from the visitors, from some direct running into space to make it 7-14 and they scored again with an almost identical move on the 36th minute to make it 7-19 at half time.
Some warm words of encouragement from the injured Wilding and replacement skipper Stu McRae made a difference in attitude after the break, although the execution was still missing.
It was fifteen minutes before the Andover defence was breached again to make it 7-24 with some twenty-five minutes to go. By this time the large home support now feared the worst. This game was noticeable off the field, as well as a very welcome large presence on the sidelines by the clubs' much needed and valued Vice-Presidents' section, it was noticeable that there was almost a team full of injured players on the side line who would have fitted straight into the 1st XV team playing on the pitch.
It was very pleasing to see Andover score a very neat try half way through the second half, again by Chris Reilly, who was putting in the sort of performance we have not seen at the Goodship for some time. The try made it 12-24, with all to play for with twenty minutes to go.
Sadly Andover then had a period of falling off the pace and conceding a number of penalties, during which the Old Boys side took the lead out to 34-12 with a penalty and a converted try.
The game finished on a very high rugby skill note with an individual try from winger Alex Kane that will not soon be forgotten, one of the tries that you are pleased to watch. He took the opposition's defence on alone and cut through with style to score the last try of the game to make the final score 17-34.
This leaves Andover facing demotion to Hampshire 1, as Camberley won their last game and are now a point ahead. The demotion and fate of the club is still in Andover players' hands however when they travel away to Old Wimbledonians – who are now clear of relegation and safe in this league for another season - in London next Saturday.
It is now time for those individuals selected to stand up and be counted and offer the commitment to travel and play away (which has been a problem throughout the season), putting in one last big performance showing their desire to stay in this league or simply concede the inevitable. Coach Crozier has made a plea for all those selected to make a concerted effort to attend training and Thursday night's squad session and also for maximum availability to travel.
Scorers
Tries: Reilly (2), Kane
Cons: Narruhn
Pen: