Alton Rugby Football Club

Students Out Run Alton

Sat 25 Oct 2014, 15:00

Alton

10 - 46

Solent University

Solent

Alton’s selection problems continue.  Although a number of regular squad members returned this week the team list on Saturday showed many changes from the eighteen selected the previous week.

The home side's forwards started well driving into the visitors’ 22 metre area but were penalised. Team Solent cleared to touch well into Alton’s half, and within five minutes were five points in front.

Alton returned to Team Solent territory exerting a lot of forward pressure, which was eventually rewarded with a penalty for offside.  Scrum-half, Alex Masters, returning to the club after a long absence somewhat scuffed his attempt but it somehow crawled over the bar to close the gap to 3 – 5. The gap widened again a few minutes later when Alton, themselves were also caught offside.

The next ten minutes or so was well contested with both sides trying to run the ball and Alton full-back Adam Gallagher making the best break.  However it was in vain as Solent scored a converted try from a slick move which finished directly under the posts.

Alton returned to using their forwards and were denied a certain try following a good drive when they were adjudged to have knocked on over the line. Again Alton attacked through their backs but an interception by Solent took the game swiftly down field with a last ditch tackle saving a certain score.  Alton should have scored again but this time there was a handling error with the line wide open in front of them.

In the last ten minutes of the first half, Solent scored two more converted tries but Alton replied with one of their own through the forward power of Tyrone Miles. Masters converted to take the score at the break to 10 – 29.

The second half was far less biased towards Solent and Alton competed well, sometimes too well as a player from each side was sin-binned for fighting.  It took thirty minutes for the visitors to add a further three points when again Alton were caught offside.  Team Solent closed proceedings with two more converted tries in the closing five minutes of the game.

Alton need to work hard on their defence as they have another difficult fixture this weekend, away to Millbrook RFC who have only lost once this season to United Services.

Referee - David Watkins (HRURS).

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