Right from the kick-off Alton Silverbacks took the game to Millbrook and following a flowing backs move were awarded a penalty when a Millbrook player held on to the ball in a tackle. Unfortunately, the kick failed.
Not disheartened Alton attacked the visitors’ defence who failed to properly gather a kick ahead by stand-off Cameron Wicks, the ball was gathered up by full back Mark Jamieson who scored, Wickes added the conversion; 7-0.
12 minutes into the first half Jamieson was again on hand to finish off another flowing move amongst the backs; 12-0.
The Silverbacks maintained the pressure on Millbrook, but a combination of a well-organised defence, and handling errors, meant that it was a further 12 minutes before, yet another interchanging move allowed Wicks to help himself to a try and the subsequent conversion; 19-0.
Most of the Silverbacks were involved in moving the attack from side to side of the pitch eventually freeing winger Ed Lowman to score the 4th, and bonus point, try far out on the right. Wicks was unphased and slotted over a fine conversion; 26-0. Wicks added a penalty before half-time to take the score to 29-0 at the break.
The large crowd were expecting Alton to capitalise on their good first half, but it wasn’t to be. They did score again at the end of the 3rd quarter when Lowman broke through the defence when he adopted an excellent line of running to make Wicks’ task easy this time, touching down below the posts; 36-0.
The rest of the match belonged to Millbrook who heads had never gone down. They encamped in the Alton half for the whole of the last 20 minutes. Eventually Their forward pressure finally paid off on the final whistle. Second rower Scott Dennington touching down, standoff Sean Kirkup converted to take the final score to 36-7.
With this result Alton Silverbacks consolidated their second place in the Hampshire Premiership, 7 points behind Petersfield but with a game in hand. On Saturday they welcome old friends and rivals, Alresford RFC for their return fixture. Alton need to continue winning to keep the pressure on Petersfield.
Kick-off is at 2:30 p.m. in Anstey Park.