ANDOVER Rugby Club’s opening game of the season ended in last minute agony as they were beaten 12-16 by title favourites Old Reigatian.

Andover led 12-9 in the final minutes of their opening London South West Division Two game.

But with the referee playing an incredible 14 minutes of overtime, Reigatian grabbed a late, late score to break All Black hearts.

A bonus point was a meagre reward for Andover, who had dominated possession throughout with their strong scrum and worked incredibly hard.

Playing up the slope in the first half Andover seemed to deal comfortably with early pressure, but a mix-up in defence led to a penalty chance to give the visitors the lead.

Andover responded well and created good field position but it was Reigatian who struck again with a further penalty at the ruck.

Andover stormed back with skipper Tom Erskine and Billy Pollard in fine form and had the visitors under pressure, but time and again spurned chances to move the ball quickly and outflank the defence.

Charlie Waite struck a penalty to reduce the deficit after a visiting defender received a yellow card.

But even with this advantage Andover could not cross the line.

Half time came and went and with Jordan Gray starting to cause havoc in the loose Andover poured forwards.

A short scrum penalty was soon awarded but Andover chose to take the three points to draw level.

Waite took the points easily and soon eased Andover into the lead with a well-struck chance from wide out.

A yellow card for each side followed as the referee became increasingly impatient at the ruck.

Waite then stretched the lead from a further scrum penalty.

However a series of poor options and decision making saw them fail to put Reigatian to the sword.

As the final play came Ed Williams was harshly yellow carded and from the field position gained from the resulting penalty, Reigatian struck with a late score.

Andover’s director of rugby, Andy Waite, said: “We played well in general terms but we really need to be more clinical in attack.

“We can’t be too downhearted, but going forwards we need to move the ball quicker and be more sensible when we are protecting a lead in a tight game.”