EASTLEIGH 35 - ALTON SILVERBACKS 21

Hit by injuries and absences, Alton Silverbacks mounted a stirring display at Eastleigh in their opening game of the new Counties 1 Hampshire 1 league but ultimately fell short as they lost 35-21 to the early season league leaders.
Players and supporters from both teams impeccably observed a minute’s silence prior to the game played in late Summer sunshine and it was the visitors who started brightly.
With some new faces and players playing in unfamiliar positions, it was some of the experienced squad who led the way. Ben Burrage carved through the home side defensive line from deep within his own territory and was brought down on the Eastleigh 22, Joe Gwyther and Cameron Hamer sought to find an opening through the Eastleigh scrambled defence and the hosts eventually transgressed with Joe Gwyther kicking the opening penalty after just 3 minutes.
The home side looked to use the full width of the pitch frequently creating openings on the left, however a couple of early handling errors halted their progress, but they dominated the opening 15 minutes with territory and possession. Eastleigh possessed some sizeable forwards and their strong running coupled with offloading was to constantly cause Alton problems and was a feature of the first half. Alton had more guile and agility in the backs but occasionally players were isolated at the breakdown and from one of the resulting penalties, Eastleigh kicked to the corner and took the lead after 15 minutes scoring off the back of a lineout.
Alton were almost immediately gifted a penalty for deliberate crossing and Gwyther kicked a long-range penalty to reduce the deficit after 23 minutes. The lively Burrage again made another line break and aptly supported by the rumbustious Oli Fielder, Alton were soon challenging again but the ball went forward.
The Eastleigh running game was soon functioning well again and Karter Whittock was sinbinned for holding on near his own line and with a man down, Eastleigh scored in the corner after 25 minutes. Back Alton came again, another penalty was made easier as Eastleigh back chat was penalised by the referee and Gwyther scored his third penalty to close the gap once more. 14-9.
Alton’s set piece was generally strong and particularly the scrum as the front row of Luke Bottomley, Henry Thomas and Nick Stoffel constantly got under their opponents but disappointingly the ball was not controlled at the back of a halfway scrum and Eastleigh raced through to score again under the posts.
Burrage again raced through and this time it was Eastleigh who had a player sinbinned for a high tackle on Whittock deep inside the Eastleigh 22. More words were exchanged as the player left the field and he could have perhaps considered himself fortuitous to escape a red card.
With a man advantage and a kick to the corner, Alton were challenging the line for the first time in some while but failed to take their opportunity and after being penalised for holding on, Eastleigh were able to relieve the pressure. It was to prove to be a pivotal moment as Eastleigh closed the opening half with a bonus point try.
Trailing 28-9 at half time, Alton could have perhaps been forgiven if had let their heads drop but there was none of that as they outscored their hosts in the 2nd half.
Alton had much more of the territory and possession, but every metre was hard fought as the game turned a little scrappy compared to the earlier free flowing rugby. The Eastleigh forwards were now under pressure themselves, Gwyther kicked close to the corner on a couple of occasions and eventually the referred warned Eastleigh for giving away frequent penalties close to their line. They were perhaps lucky therefore to not receive another yellow card as they immediately were penalised again for a scrum penalty. However, Alton regathered their composure and Lew New found Fielder to score a simple try after 61 minutes
The comeback victory was never really likely as Eastleigh scored once more, but an Eastleigh kick under their posts was charged down and immediately regathered by Gwyther and a losing bonus point was a distinct possibility
As Alton looked to run out from deep within their own 22, a thunderous tackle on Hamer made everyone wince, but in the final play of the game it was Hamer who burst through the line once more from under his own posts. Running out of options, he kicked to the corner, but the ball despairingly went into touch as the Alton backs looked to regather.
Alton had their chances but the Eastleigh running rugby in the first half proved to be their downfall.
With a reformatted Hampshire league this season, Alton will have the chance to play many local derbies and next week, Alton will host Winchester at Anstey Park. Winchester were in a higher division last season and after having won their 2 opening games, this will prove to be a challenging opening fixture.