Alton Rugby Football Club

Alton Show Spirit & Fortitude

Sat 19 Sep 2015, 14:00

Alton

23 - 21

Overton

Overton
Masters Prepares Final Kick, while John Ford Prays!

On a sunny and warm afternoon Alton opened their new career in Hampshire Two when they welcomed old friends and rivals Overton to Anstey Park.

These two sides last played each other at Overton two years ago when both sides were in Hampshire One. The result then was close with Alton winning 6-0, this result was even closer!

Alton kicked off downhill and immediately pressurised the visitors’ defence but were penalised for the first of a number of handling offences. Overton were then picked up by the referee, William Johnston (HFURS) for a not straight lineout throw-in on their 5 metre line.  However their much heavier and better drilled scrummage pushed Alton off their own ball and through crisp passing released their right winger who scampered over half the length of the pitch to score the game’s opening try out on the right.  The conversion was good Overton now led 0-7.

A kick by Alton was knocked on by an Overton player five minutes later and another of their team was caught offside at the resultant scrum. Alton scrum-half Alex Masters accepted the 3 points on offer, score now 3-7.

Alton were penalised a few minutes later for the same offence but the penalty kick was missed. The referee asked for a copy of the law book soon after when the ball disappeared by chance into an Overton shirt during a ruck and maul! A second visitors’ try was only stopped by solid defensive work by Alton, Overton also failed with a subsequent effort through a forward pass.

However, Overton were rewarded on the half-hour when, good passing and pressure resulted in their second converted try, score 3-14.

A quick penalty by Alton put heavy pressure on Overton’s defence but failed to score when they knocked-on on the try line. A “skill” Overton repeated on the stroke of half-time keeping the score at 3-14.

Nine minutes into the second half, Masters scored his second penalty when Overton were penalised for not releasing, score 6-14.

On the half-hour referee Johnston became frustrated by repeated offences by Overton and sin-binned a player.  Alton took advantage of this when, following a number of rucks and mauls in front of the Overton posts, Alton stand-off Leigh Alexander scored under the posts making Masters’ task simple, score 13-14.

A few minutes’ later Alton were ahead when Overton backs were penalised for crossing on the 5 metre line, Masters skilfully converted to finally put Alton ahead 16-14.

Overton retaliated shortly afterwards with another good backs’ move  leading to a try out on the left, their kicker is to be congratulated on a fine effort to put them back in front 16-21.

To go behind five minutes from the end could have been disheartening, but Alton are showing that they have good spirit; following a good scrum on the opposition’s 15 metre they proved that they too could run and pass well, releasing winger Spike van der Merwe to score way far out on the left tying the scores at 21-21 with the conversion to follow.

Masters again rose to the occasion and Alton were declared winners by the referee’s final whistle.

Alton deserved this result through their sheer graft and determination, but will need to work on their ball handing and tackling skills. Alex Masters was named as Man of the Match, although Kyle Bale on his first XV debut, putting in some fierce tackles, also warrants a mention.

Alton have another Hampshire Two league match next Saturday, 26th September, away at Fawley, who comprehensively defeated local side Aldershot & Fleet away from home 7-66, kick-off 2 p.m.

 

Alton is a friendly and welcoming club, if you fancy playing just turn up, senior training is every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and join in.

Referee William Johnston (HRURS)

 

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