Alton Rugby Football Club

A Close Encounter with Nomads

Sat 10 Oct 2015, 14:00

Nomads

28 - 35

Alton

Nomads

Again Alton suffered a fifty percent change in personnel from those of last week's side due to unavailability and injury. However, the strength in depth that is growing in the club saw them through to a well-deserved victory.

Despite a brisk easterly breeze blowing off Langstone harbour, conditions for flowing rugby were good. Two closely matched sides and a good controlled refereeing performance by the evergreen Mike Gill, meant a free scoring game entertained the spectators; a total of ten tries (five in each half) and the lead switching seven times!

Exactly as last week and again within three minutes of the kick-off, Alton were five points ahead when the captain for the day, Tom Smethurst, collected the ball from a line-out and touched down. Immediately afterwards Alton were penalised for holding-on on the 10m line, but fortunately the home kicker missed. Four minutes later, Alton moved the ball swiftly up field through both backs and forwards, with second row, Chris Gregory, finishing off the move by crashing over beneath the posts. Simon Ford made the conversion, 0-12.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Alton were penalised for holding on, but following the home side's kick were awarded a scrum. The visitors set off on another flowing move, but unfortunately a pass was intercepted and a converted try scored beneath the posts, 7-12. Shortly after this, Nomads went ahead when Alton were penalised for going over the top.  Nomads kicked to touch where Alton were penalised again and quick reactions caught the defence napping, 14-12.

On the half hour another clean move released Alton winger, Ed Lowman, who was brought down only five metres from the line. The Alton forwards followed up well but eventually lost the ball and the chance to reassume the lead. However, Alton were not disheartened and forced a line-out on the home 5 metre line, from which clean ball was won and reached winger, George Trantham, who dived over. Unfortunately, Trantham was adjudged to have dropped the ball. Alton maintained the pressure and just on half time were awarded a scrum on the opposition five metre line. A clean heel enabled Mike Robson to scamper over for a typical scrum half's try to make the score 14-17.

Early in the second period Alton were penalised for off-side and Nomads kicked for touch, but their throw-in was deemed not straight. Robson was then penalised for feeding the resultant scrum and his opposite number took the free kick quickly to set up another converted try. 21-17. Almost immediately after the restart Nomads were penalised and Ford accepted the three points on offer, to put Alton just one point behind, 21-20. Eight minutes into the half, the Alton pack drove over but failed to ground the ball properly. The Alton backs then utilised this advantageous position, with Robson eventually finding the opening for his second try, 21-25.

Kyle Bale on Alton's right wing earnt his spurs when he covered half the width of the pitch to put in an excellent try saving tackle beneath the posts. Unfortunately the home number 8, Aaron Beasley, scored his second converted try of the day from the resultant scrum, 28 -25. Nomads knocked on at the restart and Alton forced their way back into the 22 drawing a high tackle.  The penalty was taken quickly and Alex Hayward, this week playing as a second row (last week a winger) used his strength to complete one of his typical tries, to lift the score to 28-30.

Alton were not going to be beaten and a long clearance by Bruce Oliphant reached the home 22 metre area, where again Nomads knocked the ball on. A clean heel from the scrum and a switch of direction gave Trantham the opportunity to move the score on by five points. Alton had to dig deep in defence for the remaining five to ten minutes but held out to achieve a well-earned win away from home. Final score 28- 35.

Alton deservedly won this match out scoring Nomads by six tries to four.  With four points for a win, plus a bonus point for scoring four or more tries, Alton rose to fifth place in Snows Hampshire 2.

Referee - Mike Gill (HRURS).

Alton do not have a game next Saturday, 17th October.  The following week they host local rivals and unbeaten league leaders, Alresford. This will be an interesting encounter with kick-off at 1 p.m. to avoid a clash with the first of the Rugby World Cup Semi-Finals @ 4 p.m.

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