Some would argue that Alton should have won the game against Alresford on Saturday by one point, but unfortunately they lost by that margin.

Alresford came to Anstey Park with a perfect record of twenty points from four bonus point games, having scored over one hundred points with only twenty-two points against, whilst Alton appear to be specialising in close results this season, with four out of five being lost by not more than seven points.

Although Alton and Alresford are only thirteen miles apart by road, this was their first competitive encounter. The game started well for Alton, when the visitors knocked the ball on at kick-off, but the resultant scrummage showed Alresford's strength when they took this against the head. Alresford harried the Alton defence forcing a line-out and with a home player being adjudged off-side their full-back, Ted Hepenstall, converted the resultant penalty, 0-3.

An accurate clearance kick by Alton stand-off, Simon Ford, was chased down by centre Ed Lowman, whose persistence created a penalty from the defence but unfortunately the kick was missed.  Alton gained in confidence and continued to harass Alresford. Seventeen minutes into the game the visitors, on a rare visit to home territory, were awarded a penalty, which again was converted by Hepenstall from Alton's 10 metre line, 0-6.  Alresford added to their total, when their back division cut Alton's defence apart giving the right winger, Connall Cook an easy run-in, 0 - 11.

A few minutes later, immediately before half-time, Alton were back in contention. Following a line out the pack drove over with flanker and man of the match, Winston Carter, emerging at the bottom of the resultant pile with the ball, 5-11.

The game rather stagnated during the first twenty minutes of the new half, despite Ford's effective kicks to touch and the Alton pack's determination at the resultant line-out. Alresford became a little ill-disciplined and a penalty was awarded at the extreme of Ford's range, but he did not fail, 8-11. Unfortunately, Alton were soon penalised and a kickable penalty took the score to 8-14. Despite heroic efforts from the home side, the Alresford defence appeared to be impenetrable. Interestingly, virtually on full time, the visitors were awarded a kickable penalty but instead of accepting three points which would have cost Alton a well earnt bonus point, Alresford elected to kick to touch.  The ball fell short which the Alton backs pounced on and slickly moved up field. Good accurate passing released scrum-half, George Trantham, to run over the try line for a final unconverted try, taking the final score to 13-14.

Alton were left rueing, what was almost their third league win of the season. However, they should reflect positively on coming back from eleven points down, holding the league leaders to one point and outscoring them by two tries to one. The squad's determination and 'never say die' attitude, especially in defence, against a side that achieved try bonus points in each of their previous matches should be applauded!

Referee - Dean Crossley (HRURS)

The next league game for Alton takes place on 7^th November, when they travel to Aldershot Park to play Aldershot & Fleet, who won their first league victory of the season last weekend against Kingclere. Kick-off is at 2:30 p.m.