Andover 16 Weybridge Vandals 41

After a stuttering first half display, Vandals turned up the heat to score a further 29 points to record a convincing double over their Hampshire opponents, having beaten them at home earlier in the season by a similar margin. Vandals pack had the measure of their opponents in the second period with 3 of the 4 tries coming from the men up front. Victory was well deserved and much needed and will give Vandals a major boost in their efforts to move up the league table.

Having a poor season by their standards, Andover regarded this fixture as an opportunity for a win lying just one place below vandals, and they began in positive style showing pace in their back line and had their handling been crisper they might well have gone ahead. Vandals kept their line in tact and having moved in to Vandals half no 8 Adam Bullett won good line out ball to give his side an attacking opportunity. The backs could not find a way through, but importantly they recycled the ball and eventually lock forward Daryl Bryant plundered over for the opening try.

Andover responded with a penalty and again threatened through their back line, but a timely interception by Harrison Edgeson saw the winger race away to score under the posts for an easy conversion by George Bolster. Andover put this set back behind them and camped in Vandals 22 and eventually scored in the corner after a mis move in the centre. After a great break by Bullett, Vandals enforced Andover to infringe at the ruck but the kick was missed. For much of the remainder of the first half, Vandals were forced to defend as Andover, winning a lot of turn over ball, attacked at every opportunity and their back 3 in particular looked dangerous with ball in hand. Had the home sides handling not let them down they might well have turned round in the lead at half time. As it was, despite all their efforts to score a second try they had to be content with just a second penalty to reduce Vandals lead to one point.

After an impassioned interval team talk by coach Nick Ridley, Vandals responded with as a stunning second half performance. It did take time for them to realise they needed to use the slope in their favour but as soon as they used this advantage and had scored their third try to lead 17 11, they remained in control for most of the rest of the game. An early Vandals scrum saw them win a penalty, and a second penalty after a crisp three quarter move enabled them to kick to the corner. From a line out the forwards drive for the line and lock Lewis Bryant plunged over for the try. Prop Wayne Mason kept the pressure on Andover, not only in the scrums but also in open play with some powerful runs, keeping Andover entrenched in their own half. Now well on top it was only a matter of time before Vandals scored again, and it was skipper Tony Couzens who touched down following a quickly taken tap penalty. A lovely off load by centre Trevor Grundelingh to full back Bolster saw the youngster finish off the move for a try under the posts with a sprint in from the half way. To their credit Andover rallied and got a well deserved try in the corner but this only provoked Vandals to storm back on to the attack. Prop James Loubser almost went over from an interception before his brother David playing fly half went over under the posts. Bolster converted and with time running out Vandals kept pressing for further points and were rewarded with flanker Luke Higley scored his sides 6th try. Next up for Vandals is Purley John Fisher at home this Saturday and Vandals will keen to put things right following an earlier defeat.