This was very much an under-strength E&L outfit and our thoughts are with those who are coping with close family bereavement. E&L were short of numbers and some key players but played with plenty of structure and technical ability as you'd expect of a Surrey 1 side. The visitors took an early lead, outflanking the Alton defence with an excellently executed 3v2 on the right wing.

Alton then gained territorial advantage to pressure the visitors. Tries from Joe Gwyther and Joe Randall gave the home side a slender 12-7 advantage at half time.

In the second half Alton used the slope to run in 3 tries. Flanker Charlie Hibbert broke clear from a maul and looked clear to the line but a last ditch defensive effort saw the ball knocked from his hand. A ruck followed the ensuing scrum and it was fittingly Charlie Hibbert who made the last couple of meters to the line. A flowing backs move created the space for Charlie Rands to step the last two defenders and cross the whitewash. Alton's fifth and final try was created by a midfield move which saw full back Josh Smith crash through the line and deftly offload to Adam Stoller as the supporting centre. Three strong hand offs kept the defence at bay - definitely try of the day! Alton tired in the final 10 and E&L showed depth of character and resilience to strike back with 2 tries of their own to put a fair reflection on the final score.

Alton points

Tries: Joe Gwyther, Joe Randall, Charlie Hibbert, Charlie Rands, Adam Stoller

Conversions: Joe Gwyther (3)