Alton RFC 1st XV Go 6 Points Clear at the Top of Hampshire 1

When these teams last met in October, Alton ran out convincing winners 96 - 5, so there looked a good possibility that the league leaders would consolidate their position at the top of Hampshire 1 with this game in hand over their nearest rivals. However, since that meeting, Southampton have recently won 3 from 5 games, and also put in a competitive performance last time out, scoring 3 tries when losing to league challengers Ellingham and Ringwood 44 - 17.

On a beautiful breezy February day, Southampton were only able to field 13 players from the start, and it was soon clear that Alton would likely run out impressive winners once again despite missing 4 players who are in County action on Sunday. Alton’s points difference is significantly better than their closest rivals in the league, but this team were hungry from the start to build that lead even further. Backs and forwards combined well all afternoon, offloading at every opportunity and Southampton fought a rear-guard action for most of the game.

With the wind at their backs, Brendan Sumner opened the scoring in the first minute for Alton with Ryan Capes adding soon after with a well worked try in the corner. That was to be the story of the day as both Sumner and Capes went on to score hat-tricks. With Cameron Wicks converting both scores, it was 0 - 14 after only 5 minutes. Matt Sellstrom picked up a ball and crashed over from 10 metres, and worse was to come for Southampton who then unfortunately lost a player through injury. He was subsequently replaced by a late arrival, but by that time George Pantrey had scored from a quickly taken penalty and Alton had achieved their bonus point after only 14 minutes. 0 - 26

With Luke Parratt continuing to break through gaps in midfield, Southampton were pinned back into their own half, but they continued to try and run out from their posts at every opportunity. Alton ramped up the pressure with good control from all set pieces, and from a 5 metre lineout, Nick Stoffel scored after an Alton maul. Wicks kicked some impressive conversions from near the touchline in the first half, scoring 7 out of 8, and the score continued to build.

Alton missed a couple of opportunities through knock-ons near the line, but with Wicks spinning the ball wide, forwards combined well on the wing and Capes grabbed his second try in the corner, followed shortly by his first half hat trick try near the posts. Southampton had a great opportunity to threaten the Alton line, but the kick to the corner was missed. Captain Tom Smethurst stole a lineout near halfway and Sumner eventually stormed down the line from half-way and ran under the posts largely unopposed. HT 0 - 54

Shortly after the break Charlie Conduct was just stopped shy of the line, Sellstrom added his second try, followed by a Matt Chapman try on 47 minutes again after some quick thinking. Southampton had sustained a number of injuries and were looking a little battered and bruised by this time, but to their great credit, they had sustained a long period in the Alton half and tried everything to score after several Alton indiscretions. However, this Alton team just keep going. They pride themselves in keeping a clean sheet and their defence stood strong once more. Sellstrom and Conduct eased the pressure up to half way and Sumner completed his hat trick in the corner after some quick passing in midfield.

Both teams had agreed to call the game off after 60 minutes and the ref duly obliged with the final whistle. FT 0 – 69

Alton scored 11 tries and 7 conversions and are now 6 points clear at the top of Hampshire 1 with Ellingham & Ringwood in 2nd; and Farnborough in 3rd.