Andover RFC - Youth Academy
Under 7's County Tournament 2010
The under 7's team arrived at the county tournament in good spirits after winning the plate at Petersfield earlyer in the season. The squad was made up of
Sam Massey
Thomas Edmonds
Jack Mackenzie
Caden Ash
Alex Bilborough
Sam Harding
James Hayes
Louis Perreira
Ben Renolds
Philip Chetwode
Lee Wilson
Oliver Clayton
The opening game against Farham Heathers became a one way street with Andover running in the tries. A Brace from Thomas and James put them out of site and some excellent tagging from Cayden gave them a 6 -1 victory.
Boy of the Match : Cayden
The Second game was against Trojens who had just beaten Andover at a game in Basingstoke the month before. A first try for Oliver started things rolling, but Andover started to make small errors and it was always going to be a tight game. With Andover 4-3 down and only second to go up popped Alex for his second try of the game, giving Andover the draw they deserved.
Boy of the Match : Alex and Oliver
The 3rd game was against Petersfield, both teams started well in attack, finding the try line easily. The turning point was an opportunist try from Sam Harding, who picked up on a dropped ball and made it over the line. This was the turning point, from then the result was always going to be Andovers. Six different players scored in this 7 - 4 victory, Alex, Oliver, James (with 2), Sam, Thomas and a breakaway try for Ben.
Boy of the Match : Sam Harding
The last qualifying game was against Farham and Gosport who had already been spotted as a good team. Andover kept in touch for the first half, but at the start of the second half a couple of errors gave F&G a 2 point lead. This looked like the end of it but with a good pick from a dropped ball from defense and a jinking run from James, he setup Louis to bring it all back level. With time running out Andover were under attack, but tagging well. F&G kept on coming and were very disciplined, with the last action of the game got the winning try.
Boy of the Match : James
As a result of Trojects getting a draw with F&G Andover were put out to the Plate.
The quarter final looked like it was going to catch Andover sleeping. They were playing US Portsmouth who had not won or drawn and games. An exchange of tries to start with then USP over turned the ball and took the lead 3-2. Half time required a good team talk and coach Andy delivered it, the second half was a different story. Andover tightened the defense, with Lee tag hunting, and were more clinical up front. They squeezed past thanks to 3 second half tries from James, 5-4.
Boy of the Match : James
The semi final at times became a display game for Andover, as they started to show a running and passing game. Sam Harding showed that he could do a trick or 2 as he ghosted past the defense to rack up a hatrick. Trick of the game came from Louis who when being chased to the line, he coolly stopped watch the chasing defender run past and changed direction to score his second try. Andover were 8-5 winners.
Boy of the Match : Louis/Sam Harding
Now to the final against Tottarians. It was like most of the games tight with both teams scoring when they had possession. The tagging was going well but both teams were very confident by this point. Andover took the advantage when a Tottonian player ran off the pitch giving Andover the possesion, from that point it was Andover to loose. With a try from Louis and a brace from James and Thomas, Andover were 5 - 4 WINNERS.
Boy of the Match : The hole team, they all got on the pitch and were all part of a fine victory.
The try count for the whole tournament was
James : 12
Thomas : 7
Louis : 7
Sam Harding : 7
Alex : 3
Oliver : 3
Ben : 1
Jack : 1