Once again Alton were unable to use Anstey Park as the heavy rain towards the end of last week negated any drying out of the pitches in the earlier sun.

Fortunately Alton were able to use the main pitch at Lords Wandsworth College in Long Sutton which is on chalk, as opposed to the clay of Anstey Park and in remarkably good condition.

This should have benefited Solent University a strong running side who were lying third in the league before this game.  Solent put eleven tries past Alton during the earlier game in September and viewing Alton’s recent results, they may well have expected to improve on this. However the home side put in one of their best performances of the season.

For Alton’s travelling support and coaches this was so much better than recent weeks, with a performance more like the Alton of old.  Every member of the side contributed their all and by the end Solent knew they had been in a hard game and may have considered they were fortunate to come away with a win.

Solent kicked-off the match in glorious sunlight and with the very strong wind behind them. As expected they tried to run everything at Alton, but the red and black shirted players broke down every move.  Alton’s forwards were the stronger pack in the tight; with the front row of Elliott Ross (and his later replacement Ian Thorn), Nick Byron and John Happel dominating.  Second rows Bruce Oliphant and Tom Smethurst provided plenty of effort both in the tight and in the line-out.

Having withstood the visitors’ attacks for the first ten minutes, Alton began to try to move the ball themselves, firstly through the forwards and then through the backs, with Mark Crowther at scrum-half providing the link between them . On fifteen minutes, Alton put a move together which saw standoff Simon Ford put centres Adam Hoxey and George Damen clear allowing them to progress some 50 metres until desperate defence by Solent halted them.

Both teams exchanged further efforts, Ford stopping one of Solent’s with a fine mark.  Eventually though, on twentyfive minutes, Alton were penalised for holding on in the tackle and Solent gratefully accepted the three points on offer.

In recent games the opposition scoring first has sometimes lead to Alton heads dropping, but not this week.  Alton stormed back at Solent but good defence, some poor passing and handling, meant they could not capitalise on their efforts.  They were rewarded though on half-time when the visitors were penalised for offside, Ford converted his kick to take the score to 3 – 3.

Alton started the second half on the attack and most of the next ten minutes were spent in Solent territory with both wings Ed Lowman, Ryan Young and Young's replacement, Ali Dow, regularly involved. However a move broke down and Solent were able to employ their backs to run in over half the length of the field. The try was converted taking the score to 3 – 10.

Ten minutes later Alton were back on even terms when the backs and forwards together took the ball into the visitors’ 22.  The move broke down and a defending scrum awarded.  The heel was messy and Alton’s back row of Charlie Hibberd, Mark How and Tyrone Miles pounced on the scrumhalf.  A ruck was set up and the ball popped up to fullback Fran Williams travelling at speed and at a good angle.  Williams was able to ground the ball, which Ford converted.

Five minutes later though Solent again broke free and repeated their earlier try and conversion.  Again though Alton did not give up, they attacked when they could and defended stoutly. Their cause wasn’t helped when fifteen minutes from full time, Damon was yellow carded for an apparent high tackle. Alton stuck to their task whilst he was in the sin bin; the only additional score coming from a penalty two minutes from the end when Alton were adjudged offside.  This meant that Alton lost their losing bonus point, disappointing as this would have been some reward for a superb effort.

Mention should be made of unused replacement Darryl French who patiently stood on the touchline eager to be involved.

The matchday referee was Shaun Flanagan (HRURS)

Alton must maintain this level of intensity next Saturday (8^th February) when they are due to visit Romsey kick-off at 14: 30.  Romsey are currently two positions below Alton in the league and five points behind.  Alton won the earlier game at Anstey Park 38 – 27; they must look to repeat this success to solidify their position in the league.