Alton got off to the best possible start in this battle between the relegation rivals.

Five minutes in and Alton were awarded a line-out on the 22 metre on the right hand side of the pitch. From the resultant possession scrumhalf Mark Heffernan, playing his first game this season for Alton, made an excellent fast break across the pitch. He then sold a tremendous dummy to release left winger, Ed Lowman, who scampered into the visitors in-goal area. The try was not converted.

The visitors started to test the home defence and it took a good tackle from centre Adam Hoxey to force a lineout. Unfortunately following a crooked throw-in Alton attracted the referee’s displeasure and conceded a penalty, which was the first of four in the half.

Three minutes later Alton were again penalised, this time for obstruction and Isle of Wight took the lead 5 – 6.

It was now Isle of Wight’s turn to incur the official’s wrath for diving in. The kick was put into touch 20 metres out from the visitors’ line but Alton were unable to make good use of the position. Shortly afterwards Heffernan’s kick ahead resulted in a home penalty for blocking but unfortunately stand-off Simon Ford hit the post.

Isle of Wight kicked another penalty on the half-hour following an Alton player going into the side of a ruck, 5 – 9.

Both sides tried to play running rugby but knock-ons and missed passes seemed to be the order of the day. Five minutes before half-time Alton conceded another penalty for not releasing (5 – 12) and then gamely withstood pressure from the Islanders’ pack, holding them on on the line twice before the relief of the referee’s whistle.

For the first ten minutes of the second half, Alton dominated but again poor handling prevented a further score.

On fifty-five minutes Isle of Wight put together a back’s move which swept both ways across the park outflanking the defence to score a try out on the left.

Despite desperate defending by Alton, the visitors added two more tries at five minute intervals, none were converted.

Alton pulled themselves together and showing that they can play decent rugby pressurised the defence. As a spectator commented “following an entire team effort” with an excellent forward drive lead to Tyrone Miles scoring under the posts. Ford made the conversion taking the score to 12 - 27.

If Alton had not left it too late and controlled their discipline in the first half, this is certainly a game they could have won.

Before the game kicked off a minute’s silence was held in memory of David Osborne Senior who passed away on 6th November. David had been a member of Alton RFC for over thirty years. He will long be remembered as the coach of the most successful Colts XV Alton have ever fielded.

Referee: Mick Weaver (HRURS)

Alton are away next Saturday, 13th December to local rivals Petersfield for a League and Hampshire RFU Plate quarter final double header.