Jersey were welcomed to a sunny Anstey Park where the spectators were treated to a terrific contest played in superb spirit.

Though this was their first competitive fixture Jersey arrived confidently with 4 of the first XV already named in the Hampshire squad following Tim Allen's visit. Adding to the frisson of excitement was the bus driver who'd broken the key in the lock of the luggage compartment holding their playing kit bag and had to go off to find a mechanic or locksmith. Would Jersey have to play in skins? All was resolved in time for kick off which was a huge disappointment for the Alton wags.

It was Alton who started the stronger and exerted early pressure on the Jersey line. From a scrum within their own 22 Jersey looked to clear but blindside Doug Lowe was quick out of the blocks to charge down the kick and kept his composure to pick up the bouncing ball and dive for the line.

Alton kept up the pressure, trying to make the most of the advantage of having the wind at their backs but determined defence from Jersey held them out and the half finished with just a 5-0 advantage to the home side. Would this be enough or would Alton press on with the slight advantage of the slope?

After the restart, Jersey kicked well to get field position and it was Jersey who struck next with a try of their own, cooly converted to put the islanders into the lead, 5-7. This lead was soon extended to 5-10 when the referee penalised Alton for getting ahead of the kicker in a drop out 22.  As the kick was taken in respectful silence you could hear the Alton faithful fingering their law books ....

Once again the lead changed hands when pressure from the Alton pack resulted in a string of penalties against the visitors, it was Ralph Andrews who powered over the line despite a desperate high tackle, Joe Gwyther slotted the extras to give Alton the advantage 12-10.

The ebb and flow of this very even contest continued and it was Jersey who had the next chance to take a lead when Alton were penalised for playing the ball on the floor just inside their own 22. This time the penalty was narrowly missed and the relief was etched on the faces of the Alton side. Alton continued to press and Jersey continued to threaten particularly on turn over ball. The match was finely balanced as final minutes ticked by.

The game was decided with a continued period of Alton forward pressure, once again the desperate defenders started to concede a string of penalties and it was during a period of advantage that three thrusting forward runs from the Alton pack ended with Joe Buller crashing over for a well-deserved score. Joe Gwyther once again added the extras and the game was beyond Jersey at 19-10 down with no time even for the restart.

Referee Paul Harrington had an assured and commanding performance with the whistle though his task was made easier through the great spirit in which the game was played. The spirit continued int the clubhouse after where each side nominated the opposition's #8 for their respective man-of-the-match awards.

Doug Lowe picked up the Alton players' player vote but it was above all a squad effort, by the 19 who played. Jersey's Ben Troy and Alton's Ralph Andrews had a titanic tussle up front as did the outside halves in their bid to control territory and make the most of the conditions.

At the end of the day the only difference between the sides might have been Jersey's rustiness in their first competitive fixture and Alton's greater cohesion up front.

The boys were rewarded for their efforts with one of Darry's roast dinners, though (some of) the home coaches made do with a very fine sausage in a bread roll and Dave Gwyther enjoyed a liquid lunch!

Alton points:

Tries - Doug Lowe, Ralph Andrews, Joe Buller

Conversions - Joe Gwyther (2)

Alton squad:-

Andy Austin, Tom Bugler, Richard Blizzard, Joe Randall, Jay Norton, Doug Lowe, Jake Hadley, Ralph Andrews, Ollie Brench, Joe Gwyther, Charlie Rands, Josh Smith, James Forrest, Jack Messenger, James Airey, Joe Buller, Ed Pasfield, Alfonso Ledesma, Ben Coleman, Cameron Lockie