Once again supporters were tested by the weather conditions, as rain and wind made playing conditions very difficult for both sides.

Basingstoke, without their county players, looked out of sorts in an error-strewn start to the game.

Strong runs from Luke Bonner, Ollie Whitehead, and Andy Jones from our set penalty, started to give the game some shape, but we did not start to dominate until Thomas Willis scored an individual effort from a loose Basingstoke clearance kick. Adam Gallagher kicked well from the hand and Keehan, Rob Channon, Josh van Hagen and Luke Jackson chased well to pin Basingstoke in their own half. We scored a deserved try just before half time when Josh van Hagen, clearly relishing the freedom of centre three-quarter play, ran in from 20 metres. Our scrummage was completely dominant through this passage, and this helped us to gain the upper hand.

In the second half a galvanised Basingstoke team started well, with strong running by their centres and No. 8. This was assisted by some pretty half-hearted shirt-pulling by Alton which gave Basingstoke the better of the opening encounters. An uncharacteristic defensive alignment error gave Basingstoke’s right wing a long range try, which gave Basingstoke reason to hope that the game would turn round. Alton, to their, took back the initiative with Willis scoring again. Alton closed out the game applying sustained pressure on the Basingstoke line but were unable to add their points tally.

Learning points:

Too many penalties conceded in ruck and maul. Stay on your feet, do not handle on the ground.

When we concede a penalty, RUN back 10 metres and face opposition. We were too slack here.

Body position when driving for the line.

Well done on playing the conditions much better than the opposition.

Man of the Match: Ollie Whitehead, for a great scrummaging effort, and for his loose running with the ball.

Special mention: Chris Martin for a much improved performance, and some notable ripping of the ball.