Old Blues I 24pts Andover I 10pts

HSA sponsored Andover 1st XV returned from London last Saturday empty handed after a disappointing display saw them drop from third to sixth place in London League Three (SW).

In the first quarter Andover were pinned on their own line by the Old Blues and it was only due to good defending that Old Blues were restricted to a 12-3 lead at the break. It always looked a matter of time before the home side broke through and they went ahead when a kick and chase found Andover short of cover, the Old Blues managed to win the ball from the resulting ruck and go over on the blindside for a try which was converted.

For the last 10 minutes of the first half Andover managed to push forward into the Old Blues half and pulled back three points with player-coach Keith Mitchell kicking a penalty awarded for offside. Almost immediately after the restart the ball was back in Andover territory and Old Blues went over for a second try.

Stern words at the break saw a more a more determined Andover come out for the second half and some fine play saw them narrow the deficit to 12-10 with a try and conversion. From the kick-off the ball was caught on the touch line by Jim Wallace, who drove forward into the middle of the park where quick ball set the Andover backs in motion and fine inter-linking play between centres Craig Runciman and Nick Rowe set up another ruck on the Old Blues 22 metre line and the visiting pack made good ground before Brian Asuncion picked up and lunged over the line for Mitchell to add the extras.

The Andover side were looking better in most areas but a breakaway try on 60 minutes gave Old Blues a seven-point cushion a 17-10. Andover did have a couple of chances to close the gap with kickable penalties but opted for line-out ball, which was eventually lost. Heads then began to drop and with five minutes left Old Blues sealed the game with a further try, which they converted.

A disappointed Mitchell said afterwards: "I'm afraid we were not streetwise enough in certain areas on the park. They deserved their win and you cannot take that away from them. I would like to think that these are the sort of matches that we should be winning but are letting ourselves down. There were far too many basic errors made, which will be addressed in training this week.

Andover 1st XV: Worle (A), Nolan, Asuncion; Collins, Bissell; Tait, Wallace, Wilding (capt); McRae, Mitchell (K); Runciman, Rowe (N); Culley; Replacements: Reilly, Borg-Neal.

Andover II 23pts Southampton II 8pts

Revenge was sweet for Andover 2nd XV who gained their their first league win of the season at home to a strong Southampton side last Saturday.

Andover lost away to the same outfit only three weeks ago but this time the much improved Hinds were far too good for the south coast club.

The hard work Andover have put in at training recently, combined with some useful additions to the side, have seen them progress rapidly after a poor start to the season. With the forwards providing much cleaner possession than of late, Andover were able to use their quicker backs to great effect. The back row of Chief, Simon Rowe and Justin Larcombe were superb throughout with the Fijian in particular re-inforcing his 1st XV credentials when his registration finally comes through with two of the tries.

The Fijian winger opened the scoring with a neat blind side try, Southampton pulled back a penalty but Andover skipper Andy Waite then slotted a drop goal to give Andover an 8-3 advantage at the break.

In the second half Andover were at times devastating with the ball in hand and full-back Chris Cutler again came into the line to send young wing Ed Morris over for a lovely try. Max was again the beneficiary of another blind side break involving Larcombe and scrum-half Gordon Mitchell. Andover then relaxed and Southampton showed why they are a decent side with a good try of their own. But it was never enough as yet another of Andover's bright youngsters James Herbert, shortly after replacing Withycombe, was on hand to finish another swift break to complete the scoring.

Andover 2nd XV: Worle (M), Batham, Bally; Houghton, Withycombe; Rowe (S), Larcombe, Chief; Mitchell (G), Waite (capt); Morris, Simmons, Maloney, Max; Cutler. Replacement: Herbert.

Andover III 14pts Shire Hall II 7pts.

ABC Cars sponsored Andover 3rd XV were in fine form in the first half of last Saturday's re-arranged fixture against Reading-based Shire Hall, the first meeting between the two clubs at any level for some time. Andover dominated the first half and scored twice through former colts Gary Parker and Harvey Parris. George Inglis, making a welcome return to the 3rd XV, converted both to give Andover a 14-0 lead.

In the second half Andover's concentration drifted and Shire Hall scored the only points of the half with a try and conversion. Andover should have taken advantage as Shire Hall at one stage were down to 13 men through injury.

Nevertheless a good win against well-organised opposition. Andover 3rd XV: Creavon, Dadkah, Leask; Parker, Lister (capt); Kirk, Cassen-Crook, Eccles; Parris, Inglis; Cook, Buckley, Gardener, Carter (A); Cannell. Replacments: Carter (D), McHenry, Sillience.

Return of Golden Oldies

Andover have remforme a Veterans XV. Sponsored by the Black Swan at Monxton, the side for players aged over 35 years is being run by ex-1st XV prop and youth team coach Brian Maloney who would be pleased to hear from any ex-player who would like to play for the new side on 400797. Their first game is next Saturday, 28 October, against Overton Irregulars at Foxcotte Park (2.30pm).