Over the past six encounters between these two sides each result has produced a close result and as can be seen from the score, Alton’s win was by the narrowest possible margin.

Prior to the match, Overton were placed first in the league with Alton in third place, only four points behind them and two points behind second placed Alresford. Overton kicked off with a strong icy snow laden breeze behind them but as the ball dropped Alton’s, James Rowe, “bumped heads” with a home player and the game was held up as they both recovered. For the first few minutes the two teams sized each other up but neither could gain the upper hand, although a fine crunching tackle by an Alton defender did save a probable try. Eventually though Alton were penalised for going over the top and the three points on offer were gratefully accepted by the home side. This galvanised Alton into action and they began to gain the ascendency, eventually being awarded a penalty for offside which enabled stand-off, Cameron Wicks, to claim the three points on offer. The visitors followed this with an excellent backs move leading to a break by centre, Tom Burgess, who released speedster winger, Ed Lowman, who grounded the ball despite being tackled on the line. Wicks missed the very challenging conversion from close to the touch line. A few minutes later, Wicks was again involved but this time winning the footrace to prevent an opposition back from scoring what appeared to be a certain try. Overton attacked again but by not using their supporting players did not add to their tally. The pressure began to tell on Alton and they conceded a penalty five metres out for holding on. The home side’s larger pack opted to scrummage and in spite of some heroic defence scored a try just before half time. The successful conversion took the half-time score to 10 – 8.
     
Alton were forced to re-shuffled their pack for the second half with Rowe withdrawing from the fray and scrumhalf, Mike Robson, having turned his ankle was also replaced by the experienced, Mark Crowther. Alton became more dominant in the tight and the additional possession gained by the forwards was put to good use. Eventually, the home side were caught for not releasing and Wicks took the opportunity to put Alton in front 10 – 11. With only five minutes of play remaining, Overton’s forwards put together their best passing move of the game and worked a try out on the right. The conversion was successful after bouncing off the crossbar and took the score to 17 – 11. With fulltime so close many of the Alton travelling support were resigned to accepting a solitary losing bonus point but their players had a different view. Alton forced a scrummage ten metres out from their try line and with just seconds left to play, healed the ball cleanly. Alton No 8, Matt Forsyth, broke off the back of his pack and dived over. There was only time for the conversion some five metres in from the touchline and many could not watch. However, Wicks confidently took the essential two additional points on offer to secure the win by the smallest possible margin.

Referee Geoff Paice (HRURS).

This very close result means that Overton drop to second place behing Alresford, keeping Alton in third spot, just ahead of Fawley. With only four points seperating the top four places in this league, it is all to play for! The results of future games involving these four sides will be watched with great interest.
     
Alton have a scheduled league fixture at home next weekend, 18th February against Southsea Nomads. At the time of going to press it is uncertain where this will be played, but is likely to take place at "The Reservation", Bordon. Please see www.alton-rfc.com for further information.