This game was originally scheduled for 20th February but postponed due waterlogged ground.

The match was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of a Romsey player, Macca Campbell, who was sadly killed in a car crash on 20^th February having played for Romsey that afternoon.

On a pitch still somewhat spongy, Alton had the best possible start after the first minute when centre, Stephen Johns, kicked an inch perfect grubber from 22m out to allow his fellow centre, George Trantham, to touch down on the right hand corner of the field. This early score seemed to distract Alton and although they tried hard, too many missed passes and fumbles could have cost them dear. However lock, Alex Hayward, did show his team mates the way forward with a 40 metre charging run! Eventually the Alton forwards took control of a line-out some 10 metres out and drove for the line with skipper, John Happel, claiming the try. The next score also came from a lineout in Kingsclere's 22 when Luke Parratt followed his skipper's example and drove for the line. Unfortunately the ball was held up, but quickly re-cycled along the back line for Ed Dickinson to score. Within minutes, Alton had a similar opportunity but incurred the referee's displeasure for holding on too long. The ball was cleared but when it reached Hayward he repeated his earlier bullish run, but this time was not stopped and scored the all-important bonus point try. This made the fifth bonus point try to be scored by this Alton side in six games! Just prior to half- time, Alton had another try attempt disallowed because the tackled player had made a second movement in the act of scoring.

In the second half, Alton showed that running at the opposition with good support was more than a match for the home side, scoring a further four tries. The first try was scored by Dickinson who finished off a good movement, directly under the posts, which Mark Crowther gratefully managed to convert. Chris Gregory lived up to his usual determination to be on the score sheet by scoring the second try. The last two tries came via Hayward, now playing on the wing and whose strong running was no match for the opposition. For his last try he ran alone from inside his own half!

This result places Alton in mid-table on equal points with Alresford. However, Alresford handed Ventnor a Home Walk Over last weekend and will probably be deducted 5 points.

Alton travel across the water to league leaders Ventnor next Saturday, 5^th March to kick-off at 15.00 and will hope to improve on the 12 - 12 draw back in November.

Referee - Adam Turner (HRURS)