Still unable to use Anstey Park because the water table is still too high, water logging the ground, the lack of significant training sessions through this long winter is beginning to show in Alton’s fitness levels.

This game was played at Farnborough’s ground at Oak Farm Playing Fields, although free of water, the surface was very heavy going.  The cliché “a game of two halves” normally applied to soccer matches describes more than adequately this rugby match between the old rivals.

Alton began the first half well, running with the ball at every opportunity but failing to penetrate Farnborough’s defence.  Eventually though they were awarded two penalties in two minutes; the first, for offside, stand-off Simon Ford shaved the wrong side of the post; the second, for failing to roll away, Ford converted.

Alton continued to press and looked the sharper of the two sides. Alton were awarded yet another penalty and chose to kick for touch to set up a try scoring opportunity, 10 metres out.  Unfortunately the referee decided that the throw in was taking too long and awarded Farnborough a free-kick.

Alton continued to try and break the defence and eventually, twenty minutes into the game, the home side again transgressed and Ford collected the three points on offer.

Regrettably Alton relaxed and immediately the home side worked a move into the corner to score an unconverted try.

Within three minutes Alton were encamped again in the home team’s 22 metre area but were unable to convert good possession into points with loose passing and in particular, poor line kicking letting them down.  Farnborough began to get more into the game and only a fine tackle by Alton's winger prevented another try.  The hosts also seem to suffer from Alton’s earlier problems, kicking when they should have passed etc.  Alton’s scrum half Mark Crowther tried to put some life into the game clearing a touch kick some thirty metres up the park. Alto attacked again and Farnborough transgressed again earning a yellow card for repeated offending, two minutes before half-time. Alton attacked but the move broke down when the ball went into touch in goal, resulting in a half-time score of 5 – 6.

Farnborough took the lead three minutes after half-time whilst still a man down. Alton were penalised for going over the top and the resultant penalty lead to a lineout 15 metres out from their line.  Following a clean catch Farnborough moved the ball quickly down the line for their winger to touch down, score 10 – 6. Four minutes later, when the visitors were penalised again, the home number 8 cruised in to take the score to 15 – 6.  Another yellow card was issued this time against Alton’s Fran Williams who was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on when attempting to intercept a pass in the move that lead to the try.  Farnborough took advantage of the inequality in numbers scoring a converted try within five minutes of the sin-binning.

The hosts collected a further three unconverted tries before the end as Alton’s fitness level dropped.  Alton however did not give up and dominated the final ten minutes being held up over the line a number of times.  Just before the final whistle a second yellow card was waved at Farnborough for a high tackle.

Although the final result was disappointing Alton must take the positives from the first half and develop them in their final four games to avoid being involved in any relegation fight.  Alton’s league fixture this weekend is scheduled to be against Fordingbridge, at present lying second in the league, at home kick-off 15:00.  It is hoped that it will be possible to use Anstey Park, but this is weather dependant. Any change of venue will be posted on Alton’s web site www.alton-rfc.com.

Matchday Referee: Ian Pennell (HRURS).