In an ill-tempered first league game, Alton ended up deserved winners on a glorious Autumn morning.

Neither side distinguished themselves in the opening exchanges, but Alton settled the better with a try after 10 minutes by Anthony Beard.

The highlights of the first half were excellent continuity play between backs and forwards, Josh v Hagen, and Will Robinson being key players; also good work in the scrummage.

Lowlights were ball retention in ruck situation, kicking the ball away needlessly, our understanding of the off-side rule, and line out.

Highlight of the game was the build up to Will Robinson's try. Great interplay between forwards and backs. Great work fellas!

The end of the first half was also marred by indiscipline and a yellow card for talking back to the referee. Learn the lesson guys! A better side than Eastleigh will punish us for that. However, we worked hard to make up for the player loss, Tom Woodruffe and Ollie Whitehead being outstanding in taking on the Eastleigh pack.

Adam Gallagher made a good break to score our third try, this still with 14 players, and we should have had another couple of tries down the left side, Ryan Young being unlucky to be adjudged out of touch on one occasion. We showed good spirit to stop the Eastleigh team from scoring, Anthony Beard and Thomas Willis being instrumental in stopping their backs. The pack was immense in the scrums that followed. We marked our superiority over Eastleigh with a score from a set penalty by Tom Woodruffe in the final minutes.

Things to take away:

• Great continuity play, backs and forwards.
• Keep scrummaging like that.

Lessons to learn:

• Discipline - you could have given the game away.
• Stay on your feet in ruck situation.
• Don't kick the ball away - keep possession.

Try scorers: Anthony Beard, Will Robinson, Adam Gallagher, Tom Woodruffe. Conversion Adam Gallagher.

Man of the match: Will Robinson

Special mention for catch of the day and spiral spin pass to backs support: Jack Simpson