Southsea Nomads pushed Alton all the way in this second tight encounter of the season which was played at "The Reservation", Bordon, since Anstey Park was still waterlogged.

In their first meeting earlier in the season, Nomads challenged Alton for the full eighty minutes and came away with a narrow defeat of 28-35. In Nomads' eyes this meant that a victory was certainly possible but despite playing another outstanding and competitive game, Alton were again just strong enough to prevent them from doing so.

Nomads opened up the scoring with a penalty kicked by their stand-off, Jonathan Branston. Alton hit back with a penalty of their own by their fly-half, Simon Ford, after a Nomad got caught offside in front of the posts. Unfortunately, almost immediately Alton transgressed again and although the penalty was given 40 metres out, Branston slotted the ball home to take the score to 3 - 6 after ten minutes of play.

Alton now took a grip on the match and kicked a penalty into touch.  From the line out a driving maul developed which Nomads couldn't stop and skipper for the day, Luke Parratt, took the ball over the line, with Ford S adding the extras; 10-6.

The game began to open up and both teams started playing freely with some positive play. Alton though pinched the ball at a line-out on the half way line, developed a fine flowing move using both backs and forwards which scrumhalf, Mark Crowther, completed. Ford again converted; 15-6.

Nomads then capitalised on a missed Alton pass and fending off two tackles their left winger, Harry Stephens, took the ball over the line, uncharacteristically it was not converted by Branston. The score remained 15-11 up to halftime.

As the second half got underway, Alton were awarded a scrum, which they drove for almost fifteen metres towards the opposition posts. Fifteen minutes later an Alton lineout was deemed not straight and the following Nomads scrum was won against the head and driven back into the visitor's in-goal area. Unfortunately, following this herculean effort and despite having the ball in their possession Alton knocked-on when it would have been easier to score!

Nomads were then penalised and from the resultant lineout Alton drove for the line. The maul broke up and a quick pass released second row, Will Ford, who raced all of one yard to cross the line, taking the score to 20-11. Five minutes later, Ford W was again on the score sheet when he finished off the move of the match which was begun by flanker, Rob Askew, in his own half with an amazing couple of dummies. Ford S successfully converted; score to 27-11 with Alton achieving their third try bonus point in three games.

Despite Alton's forward dominance, Nomads didn't let their heads drop. With ten minutes left to play, Nomads gave all they had in an attacking scrum which resulted in Alton giving away a penalty, which enabled Branston to close the score to 27-14. Although Nomads dominated the final minutes of the game they had left themselves too much to do. A series of penalties conceded by Alton in their 22 eventually led to Branston scoring an unconverted try. Had the conversion been success, Nomads would have again been awarded with a well-earned losing bonus point. Full-time result 27-19.

We would like to acknowledge the Southsea Nomads match report for providing additional information.

Referee - Gareth Edwards (HRURS)

Alton have an away league game next Saturday, 30^th January, when they visit Alresford, kick off scheduled for 14:00.