Twenty players squad embarked upon the tour to the Emerald Isle and they were led by team manager Adrian Blizzard and head coach David Bugler.

Highlights of the trip included tours around the Guinness brewery and Croke Park, home of Ireland’s Gaelic sports and recent temporary venue for Ireland’s rugby Grand Slam home games.

The Alton side played the first of their two tour matches in Drogheda against Boyne RFC. In wet and windy conditions both sides played some ambitious rugby and Alton put in a gritty performance to defeat Boyne by 15-24, with tries by Charlie Hibbert (2), Joe Gwyther and Ed Simmons.

The entire tour party enjoyed some superb post match hospitality with their new friends in the Boyne clubhouse after the hard-fought game.

In the second match, Alton came up against reigning Leinster champions Navan RFC who showed championship form, physicality and some outstanding back play to force themselves into a 26-10 lead with just 10 minutes remaining.

All seemed lost for the visitors but a doggedly determined and skilful final period saw Alton score 19 unanswered points to record a famous and unexpected 29-26 win, securing victory with the final play of a tremendously exciting and competitive game.

Tries were scored by Ed Simmons (3), Charlie Hibbert and Joe Gwyther but this was above all a team performance where all twenty squad members played their part on the field.

On the coach drive back from Heathrow airport, the tour awards were presented as follows: Doug Lowe took home the Tackle Monster Award; Charlie Rands was voted as Top Tourist; Joe Gwyther won the Coaches’ Merit Award.

The full squad was James Airey, Ralph Andrews, Kieran Beardsall, Richard Blizzard, Ollie Brench, Tom Bugler, Stan Burrows, Will Cockburn, Ben Coleman, Ollie Dickson, James Forrest, Joe Gwyther, Jake Hadley, Charlie Hibbert, Cameron Lockie, Doug Lowe, Ed Pasfield, Charlie Rands, Ed Simmons and Josh Smith.

Alton RFC Under 13s will be playing in the final of the Hampshire RFU Plate on Sunday 26 April at Anstey Park. All are welcome to show their support for this squad which has already done both club and town proud.