?In October 1924, a group gathered at The Swan Hotel on Alton High Street and resolved that rugby would be the recognised winter game of the district.

One of them was Tommy Rose — WWI flying ace, Harlequins forward, and a man who'd faced the All Blacks.

Rugby was hence born in the town of Alton, and a couple of years later on the 8th April 1926, Alton Rugby Club was officially formed at the Assembly Rooms. Later that week, the first official rugby match was played by Alton RFC v Flowerdown Wireless School, RAF Flowerdown, on 14th April 1926, with Alton losing 27-3. Despite the heavy defeat, reports apparently praised Alton's "bursts of good foot-work" — so a moral victory of sorts for a club that had only just officially come into existence!

This Saturday, 100 years later, we are kicking off our Centenary than with an exhibition match replicating that famous fixture back in 1926!

Sadly Flowerdown Wireless School no longer exists and the unit it was replaced by doesn't have a rugby team, so our local friends RAF Odiham have stepped up to provide as similar experience as possible.

Here's the details of the match:

? Alton XV v RAF Odiham
?️ KO 1500
? Anstey Park, Alton

We'd like to play at least the first half of the match under 1926 laws, and manage the game as a friendly fixture giving as many people playing time as possible. If you'd like to lace up the boots even for a 10 min appearance, please drop us a DM or speak directly to Steve Jenkins.

Supporters welcome! There'll be live music and a hog roast on the day for everyone to enjoy!

We'll also be debuting our new Centenary throwback playing kit - so keep an eye out for this! Our Men & Women's 1XV's will be wearing this next season.

@altonhampshireunitedkingdom @heraldsport @thealtonherald @weyvalleyradio @bbchampshire @altontowncouncil

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