THE Wheatsheaf started the New Year off with an entertaining win against a strong Andover side.

The Cabin Crew pack has been very solid this season and the Wheats used this to their advantage.

Despite Andover having a strong experienced pack, the Wheats enjoyed the upper hand even though Andover opened the scoring with a try.

Undaunted the Wheats hit back, working the ball up the middle of the park.

The Wheats were playing intelligent rugby, drawing the Andover players into rucks and mauls and providing quick ball to the backs and providing support.

Working up the park the Wheats set up a ruck five metres from the Andover line and quick ball to the backs allowed centres Tony Fooks and Steve Woodman to make a hole for flanker Ritchie Evans to drive over in the corner.

Andover replied with a penalty and a try caused by the Wheats not getting across to support the last defender.

With the dominance of the Wheats pack, victory seemed inevitable and there was a belief about them. They replied with a superb forward's try taken from a lineout just outside the Andover 22, second row Philip Kennedy securing the ball, feeding to Dom Baker.

The pack worked the ball back to veteran number eight Simon Gollop and set up a driving maul to which Andover had no reply, allowing the evergreen number eight to score.

Skipper Greg Fergusson converted.

The second half started slowly for the Wheats who were forced to soak up Andover pressure.

Fergusson was making the most of the field position firing off drop goal attempts, but was off target.

However, with five minutes to go the inevitable happened and the captain fired one over to secure a well deserved victory.

It was an exciting game for the spectators who will be looking forward to Saturday's visit of Swanage & Wareham III (2.15pm).