So Near But Not Quite Enough

This was Alton's first competitive fixture for four weeks because both Kingsclere and Lymington Mariners had failed to raise a team for their league games; Alton being awarded a Home Walkover and Away Walkover respectively and five points for each game.

Alton had played Alresford in September in the Hampshire RFU Plate competition when they were on the receiving end of a 43-0 drubbing.  Last Saturday's match was a much closer hard fought encounter with the result in doubt until the final whistle. On a muddy pitch, with all enveloping mist and drizzle in the air, Alresford started brightly pinning Alton in their 22 for the first five minutes.  However, Alton were in fact the first team to cross the goal line but the "try scorer" was deemed by the referee to have made a second movement.The following twenty minutes were evenly contested between two very physical and combative sides who both spent time in their opponents' half. In the twenty-eighth minute Alton almost broke away but a fabulous tackle by Alresford's James Boon saved the day. On the thirtieth minute, Alresford were reduced to fourteen for repeated offences but they rallied with an effective defence. In the thirty-sixth minute, Alresford's Pete Rogers scored to give away side the lead. However, the lead was to last just three minutes as, straight from the restart Alton fought back and eventually were able to send winger, Ed Lowman, over for a fine try in the corner. Alton followed up this score, on the stroke of half-time with Cameron Hamer, on his league debut, successfully kicking a penalty after the visitors were marched back an additional ten metres for verbal frustration.
Half-time Score: Alton 8 - Alresford 5.

Alresford were restored to a full complement at the start of the second half and as in the first half, the game was fought fiercely with no quarter given. In the fifty-fifth minute, Alton were awarded a penalty but unfortunately the ball hit the upright and the additional ponts could not be secured. With the gathering gloom and persistent rain it became more difficult to differentiate between the two sides. Alton became somewhat frustrated being unable to breakdown the visitor's defence and a yellow card was shown. Alresford camped on Alton's line and eventually the Alton pack both smaller in physical size and number conceded a penalty try taking the score to 8 - 12. This fired up Alton, but a try saving tackle denied them another score.  Alresford now found themselves under immense pressure but were able to regroup and defend their line. The frustration of both sides did lead to "handbags" on the seventy-fourth minute, but order was quickly restored. On the 76th minute Alton were awarded a penalty which Alton Man of the Match, Hamer, struck beautifully to take the score to 11-12. With less than five minutes remaining and both sides not giving an inch, Alresford were themselves awarded a penalty, twenty yards out which Bertie Watley converted taking the score to 11-15. The last two minutes were played out in Alresford's 22 but their defensive work and commitment denied Alton. Eventually with full time on the clock, the visitors were awarded a scrum which they won and the ball was booted into touch.

This may not have been a classic game of free-flowing rugby but considering the conditions it was a hard fought and equal battle and Alton did, at least, earn a losing bonus point.

Final Score: Alton 11 - Alresford 15.

Referee - Mike Gill (HRURS)