Gosport left Anstey Park with 3 league points though both coaches agreed the better side had lost on the day. All credit to Gos for sterling defence and taking the points when they were offered. Two penalties from undisputed ruck offences followed by a try in the final moment of the game when defensive lapses followed another Gos kick and chase.

Alton may have played the more ambitious rugby but it was a lack of forward platform that denied their more threatening backline the chances to capitalise on their field position. The Alton scrum was dominant but line out ball was scrappy and often led to Gosport terrorising the scrum half and gaining ground.

The first try of the game followed a penalty to Alton in the Gosport 22, the easy 3 points were turned down and Alton took the scrum option. Two or three phases later and the decision was vindicated when the ball was released from a ruck and passed cleanly down the line for right wing, Jack Messenger to touch down unopposed. Further Alton pressure saw flanker Doug Lowe crash over the line under the sticks but the ref did not have a clear view of the grounding. Ahead by 5-3 at half time, the game was there for whichever side could gain control, or make the fewest errors.

As the second half got under way Alton again enjoyed the greater territory and were prepared to put the ball through hands. Gosport's game was more limited, most of the ball was kicked by their 10 and to good effect, time and time again the lines were cleared.

Alton pressed on the right and after a ruck Joe Gwyther emerged with the ball and ran across field towards the space on the left. Faced with a 2v2 Joe opted to kick ahead and a perfectly weighted ball bounced into the goal area and the foot chase was on. Defender and attacker dived for the ball and it looked like a try to the home support but the ref did not have a clear view of the grounding so awarded the drop out 22 to the relief of the travelling fans.

Gosport kicked their second penalty shortly after to take the lead 5-6 and the game was on. It ebbed and flowed until finally a glorious overlap opportunity presented itself to Alton in the Gos 22 only for poor passing to lead to a fumble and another lost chance to retake the lead.

In the final action, the Gosport 10 once again kicked ahead and Alton failed to tidy up and secure the ball - it was hacked on and Gosport followed up to score in what proved to be the final and decisive act of a tight game.

This was Alton's first defeat of the season and it will hurt all the more as they know it was a game there to be won. They must now bounce back positively, learn from it, fix the problems and rebuild for the crucial games in January.

Alton points:
Try - Jack Messenger