Frustrating cup win for Green and Whites

Horsham took one more step towards a possible final at Twickenham with a second round Intermediate Cup win at home to Andover.

The Hampshire side, who like Horsham were promoted last season from the parallel London South West league, were spirited opposition and with a very young side, the majority of whom have recently progressed through their Mini and Junior section similarly to the Green and Whites, have a bright future.

Unfortunately the game did not live up to the expectations of the good sized crowd who were well fortified following a Vice President’s lunch.

Horsham head coach Nick Stocker said, “It was a frustrating day at the office. We are pleased to get to the next round but the players did not achieve the standards they have set themselves.”

Horsham started quickly and crossed the try line in the first minute. Following a poor clearance kick from Andover, Mike Watts went on a weaving run and set the ball up when tackled and from the next phase the ball was spun right to Andy Gray who powered through several tackles to score from 20 yards. Johnson added the conversion and when Andover were caught offside in front of their own posts after 7 minutes, Johnson slotted the penalty and the Green and Whites were already 10-0 up.

Andover bounced back immediately when they stole possession from the back of the Horsham scrum and crossed the line after a powerful run from their inside centre, then Mike Watts scored a superb try off first phase scrum possession gliding in and out, and with the try converted by Johnson, Horsham were leading 17-7 after 13 minutes.

Despite having several more opportunities to score Horsham failed to add to their tally for the remainder of the half due to handling errors in the wet conditions and wrong options being taken.

Sam Shepherd, Declan Nwachukwu and Watts looked a threat whenever in possession but there was a lack of continuity to Horsham’s play.

Johnson kicked another penalty to extend the lead to 20-7 after 52 minutes but this was to be the last time that Horsham troubled the scoreboard.

With neither side establishing any fluidity the scoreline remained unchanged until on 75 minutes Horsham failed to secure their own line out ball on their 22, and when a clearance kick was charged down the defence was indecisive and Andover were the first to follow up and score.

Stocker went on to say, “We were dominant in the scrums and line-outs, and with territory and possession but we were not clinical and we failed to execute the opportunities we created for ourselves.

The refereeing of the contact area killed our momentum however we also need to work hard to rectify the deficiencies in our skill sets.
At least we secured a win when playing well below par.

Richard Tredgett was my man of the match, Sam Shepherd had a good game on debut and Mike Watts always looked dangerous ball in hand.”

Horsham’s next game is at home to Deal & Betteshanger on 5 December. The Kent side lie fourth in the league and will undoubtedly provide tough opposition.

Horsham: Watts; Nwachukwu, Yeates, Ordidge, Shepherd; Johnson, Mills (McCabe 60); Barber, Stone (Grantham-Hill 40), Talbot; Tredgett, Whiting; Smith (Harcus 26), Thompson, Gray