This was a typical first fixture of a New Year, not a great exhibition of free-flowing rugby for the neutral viewer but it was a good example by Alton of what can be achieved by commitment and application. particularly when events appear to conspire against you.

Alton had only played one league fixture since 5^th November and the rustiness showed, not helped by a somewhat different team make up and structure.   Alton welcomed back to the 1^st XV Alex Masters and Josh Smith but were only able to field a total of sixteen players with the 2^nd XV also playing a merit table match against Ventnor and requiring players.

For the firsthalf-hour of the game, neither side could impose themselves due to inaccurate passing leading to copious knock-ons. Alton did dominate in two areas, namely defence and tight scrummaging, with the front row of Nick Stoffel, Luke Parratt and James Rowe totally in command. The front row were ably supported by their second row of Tom Smethurst and skipper Adam Hoxey (normally a centre). However, Southampton spent most of this time encamped in their visitors' half but never looked like scoring. Alton eventually broke out and managed to reach their opponents 22 metre line, from an excellent scrum but again careless handling let them down.  Awarded a free kick, they elected to scrum again and scrum-half, Ed Thomas, set his backs in motion in motion, sadly the inevitable score failed when the last pass was adjudged to be forward.  Eventually though, Alton's pressure brought reward.  Southampton were caught offside 25 metres out and standoff, Joe Gwyther, happily accepted the opportunity to open the scoring from the resultant penalty. On halftime Alton managed a good thrusting move with both backs and forwards involved; winger, Ed Lowman, finished the move off when tackled just short of the line and stretched to his full height to touch down.  Gwyther made the conversion look easy.

Half Time Score Southampton 0 - Alton 10

For Alton, the second half began in the worst possible way.  Pressurising Southampton in their own 22, two of Alton's more senior players (Luke Parratt and Tom Smethurst) tackled the same player and a bad clash of heads led to them both leaving the pitch for a visit to the local infirmary for repair. This forced Alton into using their one and only replacement who slotted in at hooker.  One might have thought that their previously dominant scrum would suffer but on restarting with a scrummage Southampton found themselves in a higher reverse gear than before. Fifteen minutes into the half, Gwyther put a sublime chip into the path of right winger, George Trantham, who needed no second invitation to muscle his way over in the corner.  Unfortunately for Alton, the conversion attempt just failed. For the ensuing half-hour, Alton were kept trapped in their own half by an improved Southampton side. Thanks to some excellent over the ball work by the back row, particularly Rhys Jenkins and Matt Forsyth along with excellent defence by fullback, Fran Williams, they were denied. Eventually Alton broke out and centre, Dave Shepherd, finished off a good passing effort choosing a fine line of running to make Gwyther's conversion relatively easy as he touched down below the posts.

Final Score Southampton 0 - Alton 22

Referee - William Johnstone (HRURS).

Alton's next league game is at home against Locksheath Pumas on Saturday 14^th January; kick-off is 2:15 p.m. in Anstey Park.