A tremendous first half performance by the Alton forwards, playing into the conditions, set the platform for a solid win over 'Stoke. Turning around at 8-0 and with the wind at their backs in the second half Alton shut out their League 1 rivals with a determined defensive display, constant pressure meant nobody had time on the ball to create. Alton wrapped up the game and the valuable league points with a late second half try down the left flank.

Despite playing into the wind Alton's pack fronted up well, the backs played 12-man rugby and succeeded in making the hard yards, this tactic paid off. Having missed one penalty from in front of the posts, Alton made no mistake from the second, a useful 3-0 lead. The forwards continued to tear into each other, scrapping for possession. Basingstoke were unable to work the conditions to their advantage, a couple of kicks from hand caught the breeze and sailed on over the dead ball line, handing territorial advantage back to the home side.

After another drive into midfield Alton gained a third penalty in front of the Basingstoke posts, this time 30 meters out. The kick went up, the wind was too strong and the ball was pushed back and off to the right. Alton 10, Joe Gwyther, was switched on and chased it up, the bounce was favourable and Joe took it over the line for an opportunist score. 8-0 to Alton was how the sides turned around and it has to be said that the home side was good value for the lead.

Shortly before half time, the Basingstoke 10 got himself a yellow card for verbals following an accidental stamping incident. Down to 14 players for the first 10 minutes the Basingstoke side rallied to put pressure on the Alton line. The Alton team dug in and held firm. Once 'Stoke were back up to numbers the pressure increased but they struggled to break down a resilient Alton defensive line. Each time Alton got the ball, they used the conditions to relieve pressure. As the second half came to a close it was Alton who were finishing the stronger, despite having their own 8, Ralph Andrews, yellow carded for slowing the game down in the red zone.

Alton pressed and moved the ball down the line to exploit a narrow defence, a knock on seemed to deny their chance but from the resulting scrum it was 14-man Alton who pressed, centre Ed Simmons broke the line and put scrum half, Will Hamer, into the corner for a well-finished try. Alton now 13-0 up and there was no way back for 'Stoke, the ref blew for full time and the home crowd celebrated a tough match and hard-fought victory.

In other league 1 fixtures today: Winchester 64 - 10 Petersfield. Portsmouth 0 - 21 Gosport & Fareham

Alton points:-

Tries - Joe Gwyther, Will Hamer

Penalty - Ed Simmons