Andover I 16pts Chobham I 14pts

IN recent weeks it must have seemed to HSA sponsored Andover 1st XV that they were in a tunnel with the lights firmly switched off.

Last Saturday, however, a brave performance in the gathering gloom against Chobham saw a glimmer of light reappear across the Goodship Ground.

As a spectacle the London Division Two (South) game was nothing special, but it's significance could be huge as Andover suddenly remembered how to be winners.

At the final whistle a weight seemed to come off the whole town club as Andover sent out a message that they can compete at this level.

The reason for their optimism is simply that not only did Andover win, but they deserved to.

They were tough, committed and disciplined throughout and did not give Chobham the scoring chances to hurt them.

The Andover scrum was exceptional and the line out, which has creaked recently, was far more solid. Around the park Andover had the Chobham pack on the back foot.

Fit again Alex McNair showed why he is so important to the team and Marc Wilding had his best game this season as a series of quick rucks and driving mauls had Chobham looking ragged at times.

Behind the pack the skilful promptings of a rejuvenated Lester Culley saw the Andover backs look more incisive than of late and the boot of Mick Cockings kept the home side constantly going forward.

Playing down the slope, Andover should have had a comfortable lead at half time. The scores were level however at 8-8 with Cockings' penalty and superb individual try by Chris Reilly matched by the visitors.

In the second half, despite having to play against the elements, Andover went into overdrive. Chobham were in all sorts of trouble as Andover pressed and were fortunate not to concede yellow cards and a penalty try after a string of 'professional' fouls.

Andover kept running the penalties and eventually it paid off, a lovely dummy and run by Culley gave Andover their second try.

Chobham never gave up hope but the introduction of Craig Runciman nullified their midfield threat and kept up the impetus.

Cockings and his opposite number swapped penalties to give Andover a 16-11 lead and, despite a nervy final few minutes in which Chobham narrowed the deficit to just two points with another penalty, Andover held on.

The only down point for Andover was that they should have been out of sight in the second half, but that in itself is huge progress for a group of players who now sense that can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Andover 1st XV: Worle (A), Patterson, Cameron (capt); Parker, Collins; Wilding, McNair, Evans; Oakley, Culley (L); Tedridge, Rowe, Reilly, Froggatt; Cockings. Replacements: Runciman (for Tedridge), Goode, Dawson.