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Second-Half Display Gives Alton Reasons to be Cheerful

10 Sep 07

Alton overcame a spluttering first-half performance to clinch an impressive 31-13 win in Saturday's final warm-up game at Old Hamptonians.

Trailing 13-5 at the interval, Alton scored 26 unanswered points to ease home against the West London side, who play in London 4 North-West.

Alton struggled to take their chances in an opening period in which they dominated possession and troubled Hamptonians in the set-pieces - lock Bruce Oliphant's mastery in the line-out causing the hosts particular problems.

White's try shortly before half-time seemed to galvanise Alton after OHs had taken an early 8-0 lead.

In the second half it was one-way traffic as tries from Andrew Davies, James Ross, Stuart Eade and Adam Baker clinched a victory that will undoubtedly put a spring in the step of Lee Goodall's Alton side ahead of Saturday's Hampshire One opener at East Dorset.

Baker's try was particularly significant. This was his full game in Alton colours after the double-whammy broken femur and ruptured cruciate ligament saw him sidelined for more than a year.

Alton's line-up at newly-promoted East Dorset is likely to show a number of changes from the side that finished last season's Hampshire League campaign.

Leading points-scorer Steven Ott and influential prop James Gay will miss the first couple of league matches as they are currently on their travels in the Far East, while experienced centre Jason Rees has retired from the game.

Alton II will also kick off their season with a Hampshire Senior Merit Table match against Tottonians at Anstey Park (3pm kick-off).

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