Despite a number of last week's side being unavailable, mainly through injury, the club showed that it is beginning to improve in strength and depth in just failing to grab a victory against old rivals Southampton.

Once again the weather belied the time of year and within three minutes into the game Alton were 5 points in front when number 8, George Damien, charged off the back of a scrummage, demolished anyone who got in his way to score close to the posts. Unfortunately the conversion attempt failed to bisect the posts.

Seven minutes later Alton's right winger, Alex Hayward, took inspiration from Damien when he attacked with a curving run out on the right only to be tackled a couple of metres short. The next few minutes were a little frenetic with Alton attacking hard but failing to control the ball in the tackle, with Southampton putting in a number of good positional kicks. Alton were penalised for offside during this period.  It was a kickable penalty but fortunately for them the kicker missed.

On the twenty-five minute mark, Alton knocked on close to the half-way line. A clean heel and Southampton released their good set of backs, with swift and sure handling producing a converted try, 5 - 7.  Southampton realised that Alton were a little vulnerable in defence and repeated the move on thirty minutes with the same outcome, 5 -14.

In the recent past Alton's heads may have gone down but not this afternoon and within two minutes they added a second try. Following a lineout the ball was moved down the backs for Hayward to use his weight and power to score out on the right, 10-14. Unfortunately, Simon Ford's conversion just scraped the wrong side of the upright.

Southampton came back at Alton but were deemed to have knocked on, which was verbally disputed leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty.  Ford skilfully put the ball into touch a few metres out.  A short throw in allowed the pack to form up and they drove Bruce Oliphant over to take the score at half-time to 15-14.

Early in the second half Alton's defence prevented the visitors from scoring just short of the line. Southampton continued their assault and after seventen minutes, finally broke through when a loose heel from an Alton put-in to a scrum was capitalised on. The try was converted, 15-21. Three minutes later, soft tackling allowed a further 7 points to be gifted, 15 - 28.

The remaining quarter was all Alton's as they reverted to the strength of their forwards, which was assisted by a Southampton player being yellow carded for a high tackle. Alton's pressure was finally rewarded when from the resultant penalty the pack drove over the line, flanker Winston Carter claiming the try which Ford converted, 22 - 28.  Alton could now see a possible positive result and on the stroke of full time Carter again crashed over but unfortunately too far out for Ford.  Final score 27- 28!

So in spite of outscoring Southampton by five tries to four, Alton did earn the compensation of two bonus points. One losing bonus for finishing within seven points of the winners and one for scoring four or more tries.

Alton visit Southsea Nomads next Saturday, 10^th October, Nomads is a team Alton have not met before. Nomads current league record is played three and won two, although the wins were against opposition lower than them and Alton in the table. This should lead to an interesting encounter, kick-off is at 2 p.m.

If you've thought about taking up rugby, or of returning to it, just turn up at Anstey Park at a training session, you will be made very welcome. Men's training starts @ 19:15 on Tuesday & Thursday evenings; Colts (under 18) Thursday evening @ 19:00; Juniors (from 6 to 16) @ 10:00 Sunday Mornings.

Referee - William Johnston (HRURS)