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"Silverbacks" Match Report - Saturday 30th September 2023
Tom Mills4 Oct 2023 - 16:49
Good response from Alton, but Portsmouth take the spoils
After a humbling defeat last time out against Petersfield, Alton responded well and put in a credible performance, ultimately though Portsmouth ran out 42-14 winners at Anstey Park with a dominant second half performance.
As Joe Marler once said after a heavy defeat “time to get back on the horse” and bolstered by the returns of George Pantrey, Karter Whittock, Aidan Trethewey and Ed Thomas, it was Alton that started the game brightly in an even first half.
Playing up the infamous Anstey slope but aided by a deceptively strong breeze, Cameron Hamer set the tone with a big hit in midfield closely followed by a fly kick into the Portsmouth in goal area and Portsmouth were made to concede an early 5-metre scrum. The set-piece was solid, and a simple move saw Pantrey free Thomas to score a simple try after only 5 minutes. Hamer converted 7-0 and an early confidence boost for Alton.
However, Portsmouth responded well, scoring a penalty immediately from the kick off and then with Pantrey injured, Portsmouth exploited their greater numbers on the wing to lead 10-7. The unlucky Pantrey left the pitch and Lewis New came on at scrum half.
Unlike last week, Portsmouth never possessed the lightning speed of Petersfield in their back line, but Alton’s defence looked far more robust against some very sturdy runners. It was an even battle in the forwards, and the youthful back 3 of Lewis Jones-Ayres, Liam Ray and Alex Goudie covered well from deep kicks.
With Hamer’s kicking game functioning well, Alton were more than holding their own, and after 21 minutes, prop Tom Williams ran an intelligent line and took a well-timed pass from Hamer to score under the posts. 14-12 after Hamer’s conversion
Hamer again kicked a fine 50:22 as Alton continued to exert pressure, Jon Hamblin and Nick Stoffel punched holes in midfield, but Alton were unable to create any clear-cut chances and it was Portsmouth who pounced on a moment of decision on the right wing to take the lead once more. 17-14 at half time.
Now playing with the slope, Alton would have been looking to take full advantage, but they had few chances and undoubtedly, their lineout proved to be their undoing whenever they were able to get inside the Portsmouth 22. A Hamer penalty went narrowly wide as they looked to tie the scores, but after that Portsmouth slowly took control.
The Portsmouth fly half kicking game was impressive throughout and it became increasingly influential as Portsmouth began to dominate territory. It proved to be the decisive factor that eventually decided the game as Portsmouth probed left and right to eventually stretch their lead and run away with a slightly flattering margin of victory in the end.
Alton’s defensive effort was brave to the end, the scrum was even and there were positives to be had as the forwards matched Portsmouth up front and as the backs reform after some notable departures in the summer.
Next Saturday, 7th October, Alton will be looking to secure their first points of the season as they face Andover at Anstey Park, kick-off 14:00.
As Joe Marler once said after a heavy defeat “time to get back on the horse” and bolstered by the returns of George Pantrey, Karter Whittock, Aidan Trethewey and Ed Thomas, it was Alton that started the game brightly in an even first half.
Playing up the infamous Anstey slope but aided by a deceptively strong breeze, Cameron Hamer set the tone with a big hit in midfield closely followed by a fly kick into the Portsmouth in goal area and Portsmouth were made to concede an early 5-metre scrum. The set-piece was solid, and a simple move saw Pantrey free Thomas to score a simple try after only 5 minutes. Hamer converted 7-0 and an early confidence boost for Alton.
However, Portsmouth responded well, scoring a penalty immediately from the kick off and then with Pantrey injured, Portsmouth exploited their greater numbers on the wing to lead 10-7. The unlucky Pantrey left the pitch and Lewis New came on at scrum half.
Unlike last week, Portsmouth never possessed the lightning speed of Petersfield in their back line, but Alton’s defence looked far more robust against some very sturdy runners. It was an even battle in the forwards, and the youthful back 3 of Lewis Jones-Ayres, Liam Ray and Alex Goudie covered well from deep kicks.
With Hamer’s kicking game functioning well, Alton were more than holding their own, and after 21 minutes, prop Tom Williams ran an intelligent line and took a well-timed pass from Hamer to score under the posts. 14-12 after Hamer’s conversion
Hamer again kicked a fine 50:22 as Alton continued to exert pressure, Jon Hamblin and Nick Stoffel punched holes in midfield, but Alton were unable to create any clear-cut chances and it was Portsmouth who pounced on a moment of decision on the right wing to take the lead once more. 17-14 at half time.
Now playing with the slope, Alton would have been looking to take full advantage, but they had few chances and undoubtedly, their lineout proved to be their undoing whenever they were able to get inside the Portsmouth 22. A Hamer penalty went narrowly wide as they looked to tie the scores, but after that Portsmouth slowly took control.
The Portsmouth fly half kicking game was impressive throughout and it became increasingly influential as Portsmouth began to dominate territory. It proved to be the decisive factor that eventually decided the game as Portsmouth probed left and right to eventually stretch their lead and run away with a slightly flattering margin of victory in the end.
Alton’s defensive effort was brave to the end, the scrum was even and there were positives to be had as the forwards matched Portsmouth up front and as the backs reform after some notable departures in the summer.
Next Saturday, 7th October, Alton will be looking to secure their first points of the season as they face Andover at Anstey Park, kick-off 14:00.
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