Petersfield 19 Andover 25

Andover defeated Petersfield away from home to make it two wins in two games.

After Saxon Safety-sponsored Andover’s battling first win against Basingstoke last week, they travelled away to a Petersfield side who beat them twice last season, looking to build upon their success.

The home side began the game strongly scoring the game's first points from a catch and drive, with Andover once again beginning the match with their heads still in the warmup. 

However, the All Blacks soon came bouncing back with a well worked move at a lineout Fin Waite set brother Tom away to dive in at the corner for a try superbly converted from wide out by Rich Retallick.

Andover were soon put under heavy pressure by a strong and relentless opposition and found themselves once again on the backfoot.

However with first team debutant Bruno Matley recovering an opposition kick and making up lost ground with the speed and power of a rampaging elephant, Andover survived.

In the end though the valiant efforts of the Andover defence was to no avail as the home side were able to cross the line to put themselves back ahead at half time. 

After the break with a stiff wind at their back Andover began to gain territory. A great break from Tom Erksine went close before moments later, Ioan Gwynne Davies set young Max Graham away for a lovely try.

With the scrum beginning to gain the upper hand Andover turned the screw. A fine break from Fin Waite set Tim Marx up for a debut try converted by Retallick

Soon after good work from man of the match Harry Batt gave Andover a scrum close in and CJ Feirn finished splendidly from a Sean Higgins pass, with Retallick again converting. 

Andover looked in complete control but an error gave Petersfield hope with a third try of their own before two yellow cards saw Andover reduced to thirteen with five minutes left.

Despite scrummaging with seven, the Andover front five of Toby Dixon, Marx, James Monck, Erskine and skipper Alex Hibdige, drove forwards won a penalty and from then on Andover kept the ball to see out a fine win.

Afterwards Director of Rugby Andy Waite said: “This was another solid battling performance against a good side in front of a very vociferous crowd. We kept our heads, did not allow ourselves to be intimidated and saw the game out. Very pleased particularly with debutants Tim Marx and Bruno Matley who both did very well.”