Opening-Day Woe for Alton

Alton's Hampshire League campaign got off to a stuttering start when they were well beaten by newly-promoted East Dorset at the Iford Recreation Ground.

It was a chastening day for Luke Parratt's side as they struggled to impose themselves on their well-drilled and composed hosts, and Alton fell away badly in the second period after a series of injuries took its toll.

By contrast, East Dorset - Hampshire 2 champions and Dorset Cup winners in 2006/7 - showed that they are more than well-equipped to cope with life in Hampshire One, scoring three second-half tries to put likely promotion candidates Alton to the sword.

More worryingly, Alton's casualty list was increased by four after Saturday's game and could pose some real problems for head coach Lee Goodall ahead of the Ellingham & Ringwood game on 29 September.

The most serious casualty was seasoned flanker Silas Jones, who suffered a triple fracture of his cheekbone, while number eight Adam Baker's run of bad luck continued.

Baker, Alton's most effective forward on the day, was returning to action after recovering from a broken femur, was forced to retire with a hamstring pull.

Further injuries to centre James Ross and lock Matt Jones disrupted Alton and East Dorset, more composed and sharper in the breakdowns, were able to pull away in the second period after leading 5-3 at the interval.

Stephen Johns' drop-goal had given Alton an early lead and the visitors enjoyed the early exchanges.

For the first half-hour, it was Alton who looked to have the edge in the set-pieces but they repeatedy coughed up ball in the loose, gifting the Dorset men a host of turnovers. Consequently, Alton were never in a position to create any sustained pressure.

The game itself never flowed and meaningful advantages were seldom played - with more than fifty scrums, it was never likely to be a spectacle and it was the physical presence of the East Dorset forwards that took the game beyong Alton in the second period.

The Dorset eight were rampant after the interval after Alton lost big-hitters Baker and Silas Jones to injury and were forced to reshuffle the pack; lock and main line-out catcher Matt Jones also picked up an injury halfway through the second half but he played on because Alton had used all their replacements.

Consequently, the forwards' power was much reduced, the pressure told and Alton, struggling for possession, were forced on the defensive for long periods in the second-half.

Richard Haigh kicked ten points for East, adding to tries from Stephane Bailly, Karl Williams and Ben Hayward.

The difference in the two sides by the final whistle showed," said Alton assistant coach Tony Hopkin.

"East Dorset looked like a well-drilled and cohesive unit. Alton looked like 15 individuals. We were outplayed by a better team on the day."

This weekend sees the opening round of the EDF Junior Vase, but Alton have been handed a bye. Their next league assignment sees them take on Ellingham & Ringwood at Anstey Park on 29 September (3pm kick-off).

Alton: Forsyth; White, Ross (Collins), Davies, Eade; Johns, Grace; Happel, Parratt (c), Hopkin; Matt Jones, Greenhalgh; Silas Jones (Curtis), Jenkins, Baker (Downer).