Alton’s second game of the season saw yet another addition to the injury list before the game had even started.

Sky Sports had reported Dennis Rands out of the line-up due to a last ditch tackle when playing for the school. Nevertheless, Alton players and parents were looking forward to the game which was blessed by great weather.

Alton ran onto the pitch giving the "Dennis the Menace" strip its last comic outing before being recycled into club ties - we are grateful to Addis Abbaba Junior RFC who kindly provided the kit seven years ago through the RFU's third world kit exchange programme. The game started with both sides appearing evenly matched. Farnborough probed Alton's new full-back, "Nipper" Airey, with a few high balls but these were confidently dealt with and took the pressure off Alton. A promising break by "Gnasher" Andrews, involving two storming runs came to naught as the Farnborough defence eventually swamped him. Not long after, Farnborough scored a try from a great drive down the left hand flank, starting from the halfway line. They were able to keep the ball alive through great momentum and support play and eventually scored a try under the posts which was promptly converted. The home crowd and away support applauded an excellent score.

However, Alton bounced straight back after a well rehearsed move which saw the backs within striking distance of the try line when Dennis Gwyther saw a gap and strode through with a try under the posts. The try was promptly converted and Alton were gaining in confidence as they sought to put further pressure on Farnborough. A scrambling defence and handling errors prevented Alton using the overlaps set up by various moves run by the backs.

Alton came off at half time to the customary lecture from the Head Coach who was actually reasonably happy but was wanting the forwards in particular to up the work rate and not rely on "Gnasher" Andrews to do all the rushing around.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first but with Alton starting to increase the pressure as they tried to get the ball out wide, delving deep into the "Dennis Rands' Compendium of Backs Moves that Shock and Awe". Farnborough's defensive pressure, forward passes and more fumbles prevented Alton from scoring additional tries. Eventually, an excellent passing sequence resulted in a try in the corner for Dennis Forrest. Dennis Gwyther failed to convert citing a case of menascitis. Pressure from Farnborough resulted in Alton retreating and conceding a string of penalties, one of which was knocked over expertly to close the scores 10-12. The result was secured when Dennis Gwyther scythed through the Farnborough pack to run in his second try under the posts, which he promptly converted himself. Dennis Blizzard came on for Dennis Hadley following the captain acting as a crash mat for the Farnborough forwards. The game finished without further scores and the teams retired to some hard-earned spaggy bol from the Farnborough kitchen, Dennis Heath gaining second helpings in his quest to become the hardman of Alton.

Memorable moments included Dennis Burrows' expert lineout tap and Dennis "Ave It" Norton's reminder that his knees are not cushions! Also good to see Dennis Cockburn escaping boarding school and back on Bash Street for the weekend.  Players' player voting went to "Gnasher" Andrews although Gwyther, Brench, Airey, Forrest and Smith all had strong games with Pickering and Messenger also putting into practice lessons learnt from previous Sunday sessions. The forwards competed well allowing Dennis Brench to provide the backs with plenty of good ball. Weaknesses were being indecisive at ruck and maul time and the work rate between breakdowns. The backs looked sharper more structured than their opposition but let themselves down with poor alignment (no depth) and a few fumbles.

Alton points:

Tries: Joe Gwyther (2), James Forrest

Conversions: Joe Gwyther (2)

Two from two... Alton U14s rumble on!

Teamsheet (second half in brackets) :

1. Dennis Pasfield
2. Dennis Cockburn (Dennis Bugler)
3. Dennis Blizzard (Dennis Austin)
4. Dennis Burrows
5. Dennis Norton
6. Dennis Heath
7. Dennis "Captain" Hadley (subbed last 10 by Dennis Blizzard)
8. Dennis "Gnasher" Andrews
9. Dennis Brench
10. Dennis Gwyther
11. Dennis Pickering (Dennis Lockie)
12. Dennis Smith
13. Dennis Forrest
14. Dennis Messenger (Dennis Dickson)
15. Dennis "Nipper" Airey