Youngsters victorious (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Young All Blacks to the fore in Winchester Festival

12:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in Andover

Coast to Coast Construction sponsored U10s travelled to the Winchester Tournament on Sunday, having not touched a rugby ball for almost a month, due to the weather disruptions.

Any match rustiness was quickly overcome in the first group game against Trojans, which was won 6-0, with the team showing great aggression in defence and a ruthlessness in attack and finishing. Current county champions New Milton scorde two tries in the first half, and Andover strugged to find their own game. The second half saw the boys return to their aggressive defence and took an early opportunity to score a well deserved try. They stuck to their game plan, and it was only a strong tackling display by New Milton which kept them out. Basingstoke were next, and though a hard match, with a bit of history between the two teams, Andover came out 4-0 winners. The final group game was against a strong Wimborne side, who scored early in the first half, and keep that lead up to half-time. In the second half, Andover had to dig deep again and scored, with some great defensive pressure on the Wimborne line, forcing an error and an opportunist try. The team rallied again, and went close but credit to Wimborne’s defence in keeping the final score to 1-1. These group results were enough to take the team through to the Plate Final, where they met a useful Jersey side. The first half was all Andover, as they dominated possession, and control of the ball, and turned around at 2-0 up. The first move of the second half resulted in an Andover try, with some simple classic rugby, then sterling defensive work for the rest of the half ensured that Andover won the Plate with a 3-0 score. This was a true squad effort, with every single player contributing to a great team effort and result.

Full page of reports and pictures from Andover RFC in Friday's Advertiser