This game was played on the ex SEME Reservation ground in Bordon as most of Anstey Park was waterlogged, but the change in venue suited the way in which Alton approached the match against third placed Fawley.

Over the last two seasons Alton have lost both away fixtures against Fawley, 8-33 in 2015 and 10-26 in 2016, but did win last season's home game 24-19.

Kicking off with the bright sunlight behind them, Alton were soon awarded a penalty when their visitors were caught lying on the ball but unfortunately the kick was missed. Fawley came back at Alton, with a good break by their stand-off which led to a move which should have been stopped. However, Alton's tackling left something to be desired and Fawley scored a try beneath the posts, 0 - 7. This woke the home team up and they were soon pressurising the Fawley defence with excellent support work and passing. Eventually lock, James Rowe, found himself in open space with just one man to beat. He sold an outrageous dummy and ran in unopposed beneath the posts with Joe Gwyther adding the further 2 points; 7 - 7. Seven minutes later the Alton forwards drove at their opposite numbers, recycling the ball several times and worked it out to right winger, Ed Lowman, who took his opportunity at express speed enabling Gwyther to add two further points; 14 - 7. Alton kept up their dominance and despite a move breaking down following a fine run from flanker, Tom Willis, left winger, George Trantham, pounced on the loose ball and scampered over for an unconverted try; 19 -7. Fawley retaliated by taking the ball into home territory but were penalised again for holding on. Alton cleared to halfway, won the lineout and drew a further penalty from Fawley. The penalty was taken quickly with the ball being passed to centre, Dave Shepherd, who scored the bonus point try just on half-time. Gwyther's sublime conversion made the half-time score 26 - 7.

Very soon after the second-half start, Alton stretched their lead when centre, Adam Hoxey, burst out of a crowd of players to score and providing another opportunity for Gwyther to successfully convert; 33 - 7. Fawley, to their credit, came back at Alton strongly and were initially stopped by a last-ditch tackle which only delayed them a couple of minutes before they scored an unconverted try in the corner, 33 -12. A few minutes later, Alton pounced on the ball following a breakdown in a Fawley move on the halfway line. Lowman flew down the pitch to score his second try, which was ably converted by Gwyther; 40 - 12. Gwyther himself set up the next score with a twenty metre break beating several defenders and leaving scrumhalf, Ed Thomas, a mere thirty metres to finish the move. Gwyther had thoughtfully engineered an easy conversion attempt for himself; 47 - 12. Not wishing to make life too difficult for Gwyther, Hoxey then dummied ten metres out leaving himself alone and claimed his second try of the game, beneath the posts; 54 - 12. Fawley pushed back into Alton territory and following an exchange of handbags both teams found themselves one man short when the referee produced his yellow card.  Fawley were awarded the resultant penalty and a charge by their centre gave them a converted try; 54 - 19. Despite there being only five minutes left in the match both teams managed to score a further unconverted try each, Alton were first courtesy of fullback, Fran Williams, far out on the right and Fawley gained a try bonus point with their fourth score just on full time; 59 - 24.

Referee: Damian Grosvenor (HRURS)

This was an excellent display of committed rugby by Alton which earnt them a total of five points moving them up to third place in the league, two points ahead of Fawley and within two points of second placed Alresford. Alton are currently four points behind league leaders Overton, who surprisingly lost away last weekend to fifth placed Southampton.

In addition to this excellent result Alton's Super 2s lived up to their name when they visited Portsmouth 4^th XV, taking only 14 players, and racked up 62 points without reply.  Combining results for Saturday produces a score line of Alton 121 vs. opponents 24!

Alton's 1^st XV do not have a scheduled league fixture next weekend, but on Saturday 11^th February 2017, they are away to Overton for a fixture which both sides must win.