Alton and Nomads started the day fifth and fourth respectivelyin Hampshire 2, hence his game was always going to be closely contested.

Unlike their previous two matches Alton for the first quarter, in the words of their Coaching Co-ordinator, Steve Jenkins, "almost perfect...Nomads are a decent team and you blew them away in that first quarter to such an extent that they were unable to recover".

Within five minutes of the start, Alton were awarded a penalty and kicked for touch. From the resultant lineout, the pack secured the ball, scrumhalf Ed Thomas fed his standoff, Joe Gwyther, who made a lightning break and flanker Matt Forsyth followed up to score below the posts, Gwyther converted 0 - 7.

Alton were equally tenacious in defence but a few minutes later were deemed to be hanging on 25 metres out from their own line, Nomads converted and the score moved to 3 - 7.

Alton moved back into the home side's half and another quick feed from Thomas released his backs. The ball moved swiftly out to left wing, George Trantham,  who despite a comparative lack of weight forced his way through taking two tacklers with him. The conversion was missed, 3 - 12.

This inspired others in the side and number 8, Tom Willis, broke free and dashed sixty metres. Willis was well supported by his fellow forwards but were again deemed to be holding on, this time under Nomads' posts.

Thomas collected the next points when he wriggled over following a lineout, 3 - 17.

With thirty minutes gone, Alton scored their fourth and bonus point try, when Willis was rewarded for his unstinting efforts finishing off another break by Thomas, Gwyther converted, 3 - 24

Nomads were not out of the match yet and retaliated with a fine backs' move to score an unconverted try in the corner, followed up by a penalty when Alton went over the top in a ruck. Half-time arrived with the score at 11 - 24.

The second half was well contested but on occasions a little scrappy and a lot of penalties were awarded against both sides. Eventually the referee became frustrated and a Nomads' player was shown the yellow card. With the numerical advantage Alton helped themselves to two further tries, both scored by centre, Dave Shepherd. Shepherd's first followed a scrum twenty metres out which wheeled leaving him the space to scamper over. His second try was a fine forty metre gallop when he scooped up the ball following a Nomad spill. Neither try was converted, 11 - 34.

Unfortunately, Alton were not able to take the score any higher as the referee succumbed to an injury and the game ended with only seventy minutes playes. The win and bonus point moves Alton into fourth position in the league, just above Nomads, with Overton remaining unbeaten at the top.

Alton's next game is at home on Saturday 19^th November when they welcome Kingsclere to Anstey Park; kick-off is 2:30 p.m.

Referee - Beyers van Niekerk (HRURS)