With a number of players still carrying injuries from the game two weeks ago at United Services Portsmouth, two of these being long term, it was again, a much changed Alton side that faced relegation haunted Southampton.

Anstey Park was still saturated following the last four weeks of heavy rain and un-useable but Alton was able to stage the game, effectively at home, on the neighbouring pitch at Eggar's School.

With the weather showing signs of deteriorating Alton kicked off uphill with the strengthening wind behind them.  If the home side’s game plan was to keep the ball away from Southampton’s big and very experienced pack, then at times it failed.  For the first five minutes of the match, Southampton encamped in Alton’s 22 and when they were awarded a penalty they took it quickly and crashed over in the corner for a converted try.

Within three minutes though, Alton were on level terms when the backs showed that the visitors could be shown up in the back line.  Joe Harris completing a fine move by cutting in onto a scissors, Simon Ford added the two points.

This gave Alton confidence and they continued to attack. Seven minutes later, Ford slotted home a penalty to take the score to 10 – 7.

Southampton then capitalised on some poor defence work by Alton with two tries, one converted, to be ahead again 10 – 19. Southampton added to this just before half-time, following a lineout when the pack drove Alton back over the try line to score the bonus try, this was not converted, making the score 10 – 24.

Now playing into the teeth of the ever increasing gale Alton tried to impose their own game and were rewarded with another penalty, for handling on the ground, kicked again by Ford, 13 - 24.  The visitors responded with their final converted try taking the score to 13 - 31.

Finally Alton began to move the ball around the pitch forcing Southampton into a scramble defend.  Harris picked up his second try following a good backs’ move which took the ball first right and then left outmanoeuvring the visitors and taking the score to 18 -31.

Alton kept up the pressure, the referee finally penalised Southampton for persistent offending issuing the first of two yellow cards on seventy minutes, the second was for deliberate obstruction on seventyfive minutes.  Now with a decisive numerical advantage Alton besieged the visitors’ 22 and eventually Adam Hoxey crashed over to take the score to 23 - 31.  It was unfortunate that he was not able to touch down closer to the posts as this would have meant a losing bonus point for Alton.  Alton continued to press for another try but Southampton held firm until the final whistle.

Not the result that Alton was hoping for although they won the second half 13 -7 this does not earn league points.

The match referee was Steve Fisher (HRURS).

Next Saturday (1^st February) Alton are again scheduled to play Solent University, at 14:15 in Anstey Park.  This match, originally scheduled for 4^th January, has already been postponed twice because of the very poor ground conditions.  However further heavy rain already this week will put the match in jeopardy.