This was by far Alton Rugby Club’s best Saturday of the season.

The game was preceded by a very well attended “Red Bellies” past players reunion lunch and complemented by a well supported “Ladies Day,” which in itself may have raised a record donation to Cancer charities. The league game was a cliff-hanger with Alton 1^st XV gaining their first win in nine. An extremely well earned and deserved win, although the final result somewhat belied Alton’s dominance.

Playing in their salmon and black “Tackling Cancer” kit, Alton tore into Bognor who seemed shocked at the ferocity and speed of the home side.  Within two minutes of the kick-off, Bognor conceded a penalty and Joe Gwyther collected the three points on offer.

Bognor tried to reply with a passing move but were forced to knock on 15 metres from the line. From the resultant scrum, the front row of John Happel, Luke Parratt and Ian Thorn controlled the ball allowing Alton’s no. 9, Sam Rees to bring his backs into action. Although Bognor defended gamely they were eventually opened up by a move which released winger Ed Lowman at great speed, halted 5 metres out he unloaded to his supporting centre, Joe Harris, who crashed over for a try. Gwyther, with aplomb added the additional points.

With the score now at 10 – 0, Alton increased the pressure. Harris was unlucky to knock on following a bullocking run by Bart van Herwijnen who was obviously thoroughly enjoying the opportunities to run at the defence.  Eventually the referee, Steve Jeggo, warned Bognor for persistent infringements when awarding a kick to Alton 55 metres out.  Gwyther guided his kick home taking the score to 13 – 0, although he wasn’t quite on the money a couple of minutes later with another similar attempt.

Alton continued to pile on the pressure and although Bognor counter-attacked, van Herwijnen again broke clear allowing Rees time to put in a clearance kick to halfway.

The visitors were again penalised but this time Gwyther chose to put a kick over the head of the defence, with Lowman just being beaten by the bounce. Alton regained the ball following the line-out and good work by the back-row of Tyrone Miles, Ali Dow and Mark Heffernan (who had an excellent game despite normally playing scrum-half) gave second row Bruce Oliphant, assisted by his partner Chris Gregory, the opportunity to crash over under the posts. Gwyther doesn’t miss from there; 20 – 0.

Another excellent clearance by Rees led to a Bognor offside on their 22m and a fine move involving most of the Alton backs, gave van Herwijnen just reward for his efforts. Again, Gwyther converted and Alton had their try bonus point.  Bognor did manage a well worked but unconverted try just on halftime to reduce the deficit to 27 – 5.

The extreme effort put in by Alton during the first forty minutes began to show in tiredness in the second, with Bognor scoring two converted tries before Alton retaliated on the half hour when a probing kick from Rees was gathered by Lowman at full speed. The conversion was just out of range.

Bognor now threw everything at Alton; they were rewarded with a bonus point for their fourth, but unconverted try ten minutes from the end.  Alton dug their heels in, determined not to lose or gift Bognor a losing bonus point.  Centre Adam Hoxey and fullback Bren Sumner, in particular making life difficult for the opposition, ably assisted by replacements Charlie Hibbert and Ant Beard.  Alton hung on and the team and the crowd were delighted when the referee’s final whistle sounded.

Match Referee Stephen Jeggo (HRURS).

One last game awaits Alton, next Saturday 12^th April, when they travel to the Isle of Wight to complete a somewhat difficult season.  League results last Saturday resulted in Alton overtaking the Islanders, but Alton are only one point and one place in front of them. Back on the opening day of the season Alton won the home fixture by two points, so a very competitive match is on offer.