Alton edged out the Isle of Wight 27-25 in a close encounter that could have gone either way.

Match Photographs

Both teams should take much credit for an entertaining, competitive and physical opening day encounter at Anstey Park. In the end new Alton coach Will Brewer also had the pleasure of recording an opening league win as well as reflecting on some notable performances within his new look side. In flanker, Nick How, Alton had the stand out player on the pitch. How worked tirelessly all afternoon competing at every breakdown, driving Alton forward and getting to rucks to secure possession for the home side. His efforts may have just tipped the win to Alton; certainly he deserved to be on the winning side.  

Both teams will have learnt some lessons - The Islanders could have been more clinical and will have boarded their coach for the journey home rueing a few chances that could have easily won them the game. Alton need to learn to kill off opposition when they open up a seemingly unassailable lead. Ultimately it nearly cost them dear.

This roller coaster of a game was ultimately decided by two incidents – one late in the first half when the Islanders could have built a commanding lead and one with the last kick of the game when the Islanders had a last gasp kick to win it – neither chance was taken and Alton ran out relieved winners. 

The Islanders started brightly, playing downhill and used the Anstey park slope to good effect by kicking the ball into the corners. In response, Alton struggled to find their kicking boots, failing to secure touch on a few occasions and although there were a couple of bright runs from Adam Gallagher early on, the Islanders had the early ascendancy. After 5 minutes, the Islanders impressively kicked a penalty from half way to take a 3-0 lead. Gallagher nearly replied after a jinking run, but was brought down 5 yards short of the line and his offload went forward. Simon Ford pushed a couple of penalties to the left of the posts and the Islanders shortly thereafter extended the lead with a well worked try scored by the right wing. The slope was still favouring the Islanders and was the main difference between the two sides. 10-0.

Alton came straight back, Ford this time kicking a penalty to reduce the deficit but then came a pivotal moment in the game. After a quick tap penalty, 5 yards out, the Islanders scrum half jinked his way toward the line. It was clear that Alton had not retired 10 yards, but the referee allowed the Islanders the advantage with what seemed a certain try. However, with some of the Islanders already celebrating, the half-back stumbled and dropped the ball over the line. A score at that time would have given the Islanders a convincing lead, but instead Alton gathered the loose ball, released Tommy Willis to run from under his posts to within the Islanders territory. With some neat interplay between Willis and Matt Spencer, the opening was created and Willis scored. Instead of trailling 17-3, Alton had levelled the scores 10-10 at half time.

The Islanders looked a little deflated as the half time whistle went and it was Alton who carried the momentum into the second half. Shane Watts entered the game and there was extra energy in the Alton pack with Luke Parratt and Chris Gregory gaining good yards. How always seemed first to all breakdowns, causing  the Islanders to be penalised for holding on the ball in the tackle. The pressure finally told with Parratt sending the big prop Elliott Ross over for Alton take the lead.

 
The Islanders looked rattled and their head coach sought to rally their spirits with some inspiring words under the posts. It did not immediately work and a few minutes later, after good pressure in midfield, Parratt broke the line, kicked forward and slid to score under the posts. Ford converted and now it was Alton who were 14 points ahead. A complete turnaround and it seemed the game was won and Alton would continue to build their lead. Penalties were traded and Ford scored again to keep the margin, it was to prove to be a vital penalty. Alton could learn from the ‘never say die’ spirit of the Islanders who were far more vocal on the pitch, encouraging their team mates when all seemed lost and when they scored a try after a neat kick into the corner, they really started to believe that the comeback was on with still 15 minutes left. With three minutes left, they scored again after a great push at a 5-yard scrum, and the Alton management and supporters were now anxiously looking at their watches as there was only a 2-point advantage.

The Islanders sensed victory and with the last kick of the game, they were to get their chance after Alton were penalised for handling in the ruck. The kick was near half way but almost at an identical spot to the one that was successfully converted in the first half. To silence, the impressive kicker from the Islanders strode forward but for the first time in the game, his kick was wayward and Alton cleared to take the victory. The two critical moments of the day had both fallen Alton’s way, much to the relief of coach Brewer. For his heart rate, he will hope to not have such close matches in coming weeks. The Islanders could console themselves afterwards that they had nearly snatched the win, but they will be kicking themselves that they lost as they had the chance to build a match winning lead in the first half.

Alton will be pleased with the win and the players that stepped up. Many of the regular players over previous seasons were missing for various reasons; some will not return due to changes in personal circumstances. There are definitely some things for the squad to work on, but a win is a win however and Alton will now look to keep their long running unbeaten home record in place , when they next host Overton.

In other games in Hampshire 1, Fordingbridge ran out convincing 94-0 winners over Southampton, and there were opening day victories for Andover, Farnborough, Solent University and US Portsmouth.

Scoring: IOW penalty 5 mins (0-3); IOW try 25 mins (0-10) ; Ford pen 30 mins (3-10), Willis try 38 mins (8-10); Ford con (10-10); Ross try 45 mins (15-10); Ford con (17-10); Parratt try 50 mins (22-10); Ford con (24-10); IOW penalty 55 mins (24-13) ;  Ford pen (27-13); IOW try 66 mins (27-18); IOW try 77 mins (27-23);  IOW con (27-25)
H-T: 10-10

Referee: Mike Gill (Hampshire Society)