On a bitterly cold afternoon Fordingbridge travelled to Alton expecting a tough encounter. In spite of the flattering score line, a tough match is what they got!

This was the first game that Alton had played in five weeks due to Christmas and climatic problems. The pitch, which was very heavy after the recent rainfall, stood up well and allowed Alton to concentrate on forward play whilst Fordingbridge’s style of fast open rugby was compromised.

However, Alton got off to the worst possible start when they conceded a penalty after the first minute, which the visitors’ Mat Norton successfully kicked from long range.

The next twenty minutes was hard fought, with Alton’s defence holding out on the line. Fordingbridge were penalised in front of the posts and then preceded to question the referee’s decision for which they were marched back thirty metres, thus aleviating the siege.

Alton’s opportunist attack created space on both sides of the field, with the pack joining in with a good drive to within five metres of the line. However some random passing and consequential poor handling meant that Alton were unable to capitalise on the territorial advantage.  Fordingbridge moved the score on after twenty minutes with the first try, when a flowing backs’ move was assisted by a forward drive. The try was converted.

With their heavier pack, Alton dominated scrums in the next ten minutes and following an infringement at the scrum, Simon Ford converted a penalty to bring back the deficit to seven points. However, having found Alton’s defence weaknesses, the visitors scored two more converted tries to give them a lead at the break of 24 points to 3.

The setting winter sun was on the visitor's backs during the second half which clearly warmed them to their task, dominating most of the open play and scoring a further four tries, two of which were converted.

This string of scoring was interrupted by a sterling forward effort by Alton.  Veteran flanker Winston Carter, who had made a nuisance of himself all afternoon, was adjudged to have been held up just short of the line. However, Charlie Stringer was successful with his first try for Alton when he crashed over at speed below the posts, with Ford adding the additional two points. As the Fordingbridge web site states “this was an Alton side who never stopped trying.” This took the final score to 10 points to 48.

Referee: Geoff Howells (HRURS). 

Alton have a difficult fixture this Saturday when they entertain unbeaten league leaders, United Services Portsmouth at home on 31st January 2015, kick-off 2:15 p.m.