Alton kept their winning home record mainly due to a dominant first half performance that saw them beat Overton by 30-13.

It is impossible to write about another win at home without mentioning Fortress Anstey, but Alton maintained their remarkable winning home record that now stretches nearly 18 months through an impressive first half display that Overton could not cope with.

It was Alton who came out of the blocks firing, taking the game to their opponents up front.  With Bruce Oliphant back in the line-up, Alton were more aggressive right from the outset and the opening scrum set the pattern for the next 40 minutes with Alton driving through the Overton pack.

In the backs also, it was evident that with Joe Harris, Adam Gallagher and Tommy Willis, Alton had an extra yard of pace and it was Willis who created the opening chance after chasing a kick into Overton territory. Even the forwards possessed that little more guile with Johnny Happel showing a neat side step, but was brought down short and Alton were eventually held up over the line. From the resulting scrum, Oliphant, who can never be accused of lacking self-belief, duly backed himself and went over for the opening score after five minutes.

Coach Will Brewer may have been a little disappointed that Alton immediately gave Overton a penalty from the resulting kick off to cut the lead, but overall he would have been pleased with the opening intensity. Shane Watts, playing his last game before moving to New Zealand, was as lively as ever in the back row and Joe Harris was continually making half breaks in midfield. Up front and in the set play, the front row were dominating each scrum, with Elliott Ross proving too much for Overton and the line out was functioning efficiently. It was only 7-3 but the pressure was beginning to tell.

Alton also seemed in better physical condition, with Overton forwards already blowing hard and walking to many a set piece. From a 5-yard line out, the Alton forwards used their forwards domination sensibly and Watts scored from behind the rolling maul.

Behind the forwards, Mark Crowther was enjoying his scrum half role, urging the pack forward and through sniping runs around the back of scrums whenever he had an opportunity. The half back partnership was proving simple but effective, releasing the backs at every opportunity. Alton always look to keep ball in hand, they could never be accused of being a kicking team which was evidenced a few moments later with Gallagher running out to half way after a failed Overton penalty. Most teams would have resulted to the hefty boot.

Ford was taken off injured; Willis took over the penalty duties and extended the lead.

After thirty minutes, Overton kicked a kickable penalty to the corner; they were already chasing their game to some extent. However their decision was rewarded when they drove over from the line out to cut the deficit. They would have settled for that score at half time, but Oliphant took a quick tap penalty, not something that lock forwards are renowned for and punched a hole in the Overton defence. The ball was recycled out wide and Matt Spencer jinked around the last man to score a decisive try under the posts.

22-8 at half time and with the Anstey slope in their favour in the second half, Alton were good value for their lead and must have been thinking that they would ram home their advantage in the second half. However with Gallagher and Ross substituted at half time, Alton took time to settle and it was Overton that started more brightly. Coach Brewer urged his Alton players to show more effort and intensity.

Oliphant nearly scored under the posts with another crashing run, but Overton transgressed, perhaps a little cynically to stop the ball coming back and Alton had to settle for another penalty.

Overton were beginning to match Alton in the scrum, the Anstey faithful complained that they were perhaps driving early on occasion and without Ross in the front row, the set piece battle was far more even. Overton were guilty of poor handling on a couple of occasions when they neared the Alton line and with steadfast Alton defence they rarely created a clear chance.

Willis went off mid-way through the second half. The flashing orange boots of Willis may be missed for some weeks or months at Anstey Park, as he heads off to university. All throughout youth rugby, from a very young age, Willis has been a star player at Alton and his presence and speed will be missed by the club. Without Watts and Willis and with the departure of Sam Rees in the summer, Alton will need to learn to find a way to deal with the loss of three stalwarts of recent seasons; the club wishes them well.

Matt Forsyth proved his qualities with a storming second half performance after coming on as substitute and with Nick How and Watts in the back row; they gained impressive yards and were frequently first to the rucks ahead of their slower opponents.

Overton were never completely out of the game until the Alton forwards combined with pick and drives to set up Chris Gregory who strode over the line carrying two players on his back.

Even then, trailing 30-8, Overton could have been forgiven if they had let their heads drop, but they came back at Alton to score a consolation try in the last minute.

A good performance from Alton that was more pleasing than the opening day win. Still things to work on, but the players and Brewer will be very satisfied with two wins out of two games and that the Fortress Anstey record is still holding strong.

In other games in Hampshire 1, Fordingbridge racked up another big win by beating Romsey 58-3 and Solent University, who are Alton’s next opponents, also remained unbeaten with a win over the Isle of Wight. At the bottom of the league, hapless Southampton have now conceded over 150 points in their first team games.

Scoring: Oliphant try 5 mins (5-0); Ford con (7-0); Overton pen 7 mins (7-3);  Watts try 15 mins (12-3); Willis pen 25 mins (15-3); Overton try 30 mins (15-8); Spencer try 37 mins (20-8); Willis con (22-8); Willis pen 55 mins (25-8); Gregory try 65 mins (30-8);  Overton try 77 mins (30-13). 

H-T: 22-8

Referee: Peter Woodward (Hampshire Society)