Alton 1st XV Almost Hold Out for the Win

Alton, who beat 3rd placed Southampton last weekend, visited Southsea Nomads RFC who had lost at Alton in the equivalent fixture earlier in the season. Prior to kick-off Alton sat one place below Nomads in the league table and a win by them would see them overtake Nomads. If the home team won, then they would close the gap on Fawley the side above them in the league. So, it was no surprise that this was a close and well contended fixture. The weather conditions on Portsea Island were even worse than at Southampton the week before. High winds and constant driving rain were the order of the day.

Both teams started tentatively with neither side able to establish an attack platform in attack so both defences dominated. Gradually the Nomads forwards started to use their superior strength to dominate their opposition in set pieces, giving their backs a platform to attack from.
However, Alton's stoic defence meant that they held out for half an hour when Nomads forced a mistake and home fullback centre, Jonathan Branston, ran in unopposed from the Alton 22 to break the deadlock. Branston was unable to convert his own try in the windy conditions.
This fired Alton into attack and although Nomads defended well for long spells Alton eventually spread the ball wide and a flowing backs' move saw Oscar Moseley clear down the right-hand wing, a great last-ditch tackle from Nomads stopped him a metre short but, Rob Askew following up dived over the pile of bodies to touch down. Alton's kicker, Aaron Harrington, using both the wind, and a little bit of luck off the posts, superbly managed to convert the try from the touchline.

At half time Alton were leading by two points, 5-7.

Nomads improved their game in the second half eventually took the opportunity to take the lead, after 10 minutes, when Alton were penalised for not rolling away from a ruck, Branston slotted the 35m penalty calmly despite the strong winds. Both teams were looking for an opportunity to score what could be the winning try. But both teams defended well. Nomads, managed to score 10 mins from the end of the match. Their forwards set up the move through a driving maul, the ball was then spread out to the winger who was brought down 5m short of the Alton try line. The ball was recycled quickly and Jack Barnard powered his way over the try line in the tightest of channels, it was unconverted.
Alton decided that they were not yet beaten and attached the home team's defence, it just about held out. Full time 13-7.

Alton have a home league match against Locksheath Pumas, currently 4th in the league, kick-off 14:30 probably at Anstey Park.