Alton RFC 1st XV continue winning run

Alton travelled to Trojans on the first wet Saturday of the season and the weather was to have a big say in proceedings!

The weather conditions were monsoon like and the resultant rugby offered many opportunities to scrummage following handling errors from both sides. This resulted in a stop start affair that never really got into a rhythm. Alton tried to play the same type of rugby that has been so successful over the first weeks of the season with hard grounds and dry conditions but the wet, slippery ball kept going to ground. In addition Alton were slow to adapt to the conditions at breakdown giving away too many penalties that Trojans gratefully accepted to relieve pressure.

Alton were first to score with Ryan Bale out flanking the defence to put down near the posts with Joe Gwyther converting at 6 minutes into the first half. Joe followed this with a try and conversion 5 minutes later and it appeared that Alton would now start to take advantage of their superior possession but a dogged and determined Trojans defence kept them out for a further 20 minutes before Christo Arundel crossed for a try on his return to the first team after 5 years away. There was no further score in the first half and the teams turned around with Alton leading 19 - 0.

The half time talk by Alton was to return to simple rugby and to ensure they scored first in the second half. This was not to be when a stray kick was returned by the Trojans Full Back to score under the posts which was duly converted closing the score to 19 - 7 within a minute of the restart. It took Alton a further 7 minutes to add to their score with Bren Sumner crossing for a try , converted by Joe Gwyther. Alton scored a further 2 tries ( Kyle Bale and Tom Smethurst) one of which was converted by Gwyther.

Alton will need to improve their accuracy and lower their penalty count next week when they entertain Ellingham and Ringwood, who are a solitary point behind them In the league table.