This was Alton’s first league meeting with Solent University.

Solent were  promoted last season from Snows Group Hampshire 2 as Champions when they won eighteen of their twenty matches scoring an average of over 40 points a game!  They are unbeaten so far this season and have maintained the same scoring average with this game taking their total points in three games to 134.

The result though does not reflect Alton’s effort, they never gave up competing.  In fact they were the first to score having taken the attack to Solent with some flowing rugby; interchanging between the pack and backs rewarded them with two penalties for offences in the ruck.  Simon Ford was successful with his second attempt.

This only stung Solent into action and they thought they had scored an excellent try out on the left only to turn round to find the home touch judge with his flag raised!  This setback didn’t phase them, within one minute they had scored the first of their eleven tries for the afternoon. This try was converted although it was fortunate for Alton that Solent’s kicker was not on top form as he missed fiveof the following ten conversions. Alton continued attacking the home side but poor ball retention and defence let them down, Solent progressed to 29-3 by half-time.

In the second half Alton continued to try and play their normal style and having conceded a further try were rewarded one of their own on fifty minutes when they set up a driving maul from 20 metres out. Veteran player Gary Macdonnell claiming the touch down. Solent though continued their dominance scoring a further six tries in the last quarter.

Alton Starting XV:

1 Elliot Ross; 2 Luke Parratt (capt.); 3 Ian Thorn; 4 Chris Gregory; 5 Rob Martin; 6 Nick How; 7 Ali Dow; 8 Gary Macdonnell; 9 Mark Crowther; 10 Adam Hoxley; 11 Ryan Young; 12 Simon Ford; 13 Joe Harris; 14 Ed Lowman; 15 Matt Spencer

Substitutes:

16 Mark Heffernan; 17 Pete Elderton; 18 Daryl French.

The match referee was Steve Benson (HRURS).

On the neighbouring pitch Southampton lost their home game against Bognor, their points against now total 222, one shudders at what may happen when they play any of the top 3 in the league! Other results from Hampshire One this weekend leave only 2 unbeaten sides, Solent and league leaders Andover.

Alton must quickly learn the lessons from the Solent game as next Saturday 5th October they host United Services, Portsmouth; where Alton’s new coach, Will Brewer was part of last season’s coaching team. Kick off is at 3 p.m.