Alton Silverbacks Qualify for the Plate Final for The Second Year Running

The Alton Silverbacks were finally able to play their much-delayed Hampshire Plate Semi-Final when they welcomed Locksheath Pumas to Anstey Park.
The two teams spent the first five minutes of this match sizing each other up, then a Locks Heath player was yellow carded for upending Matt Chapman in the tackle and dropping him. Despite the difference in numbers Alton were unable to gain any points during the 10 ensuing minutes.
When the visitors earnt their second sin-binning the Silverbacks chose the scrummage option for the penalty and the ball was passed across the pitch for winger Harry Devonshire to touch down out on the right, Cameron Wickes converting; 7-0.
Devonshire was again the scorer when Locks Heath were penalised for a high tackle, this time Alton opted for the lineout, again the ball was moved slickly and quickly to the winger, Wickes again converted; 14-0.
Alton now adopted a “pick up and go” style of play, Ryan Capes finishing with the first of his 2 tries, which was converted by Wickes; 21-0.
Just before half-time it was the home team’s turn to receive a yellow card but despite Locks Heath exerting good pressure they kept them out. Half-time score 21-0.
The second half started in the same vein, Locks Heath pressurising through their forwards, Alton defending until on 55 minutes Wicks, taking a tap penalty, spotted a yawning gap in the visitors’ defence and galloped through with Capes in support to take the score to 26-0.
5 minutes later Dan Napier touched down under the post to give Wicks an easy conversion 33-0.
This could have been the heralding of a very high score, but Alton suffered yet another yellow card and Locks Heath continued to believe in themselves exerting pressure on the home defence which was eventually rewarded by a converted try 5 minutes from the whistle. Final score 33-7.

Hopefully Alton will host the Final against Isle of Wight on 25th April 2020, but the Rugby Football Union, as a precaution against Coronavirus, has cancelled all rugby related activity until 14th April.