In the first league game of the season Alton saw off a strong Jersey side in an enthralling game. The lads delivered an early birthday present to the head coach with a committed display on a perfect track. Despite a rash of injuries and knocks during the game and many players forced into strange positions, the Mighty Oaks pulled out a win in a game where the lead changed hands three times and the result was not secured until the final play.

Jersey have to be congratulated for playing a full part in a titanic battle as does referee Paul Harrington for allowing the game to played with great empathy. Three great tries were scored by the Alton forwards this time, which shows they have an all round game when the situation demands it. Whilst we were over-reliant on three players for most of our tries last season, our first four games this season have seen 20 tries from 11 different players. Just as valuable as the tries were the try saving tackles, well done to Tom Bugler for corner flagging Jersey's flying winger just as a try seemed inevitable - and he won the penalty by getting straight to his feet and jackaling the ball!

Special mentions to our Players' Player - Doug Lowe; to Ralph Andrews, voted by Jersey as Alton's man of the match and presented with a ball; to Alfonso Ledesma in his first game representing Alton; to Joe Randall for playing excellently in three different positions in the same game; to our injured players who turned up to support on the sidelines - Stan Burrows, Charlie Hibbert and Ed Simmons; to Ben Coleman who was unfortunately the only sub who didn't get some match time; to Joe Buller who always makes an impact .... on someone!!

Other results in our league - Gosport & Fareham 12 - 5 Portsmouth; Basingstoke 32 - 3 Petersfield