Alton RFC 1st XV come close to beating 4th place Locksheath Pumas

The conditions were very poor leading into the match and the main pitches in Anstey Park were unplayable, but it was decided to move the match to the smaller, but in much better condition new pitch on the Diggers extension. Alton capitalised on the new playing surface by forcing the Pumas into a number of early penalties. A kick for touch, the resulting catch and drive saw the home side open the scoring after 3 minutes through prop Ryan Capes; 5-0.
10 minutes later Alton's continual pick and drive tactics forced 3 consecutive penalties, on the 3rd scrumhalf George Pantrey went for the posts and converted. 8-0. The Alton pack were showing signs of being able to dominate the match and in the lineout the Pumas were struggling to compete.
For the first 30 minutes played the Pumas were camped in their half and showing no signs of getting their hands on the ball. They made a couple of early changes, more tactical than performance related. They were rewarded by gaining more territory and pushed into the Alton 22m area and were awarded a penalty. Their fullback Robert Connell opened the his & Pumas account 8-3.
Alton struck back very quickly by this time letting their backs run and good hands, and a knock by the visitors gave the pack a scrum opportunity 5 metres out, Alton's number 8 Tony Hopkin gratefully accepted the opportunity to take the score to 13-3.
Connell converted a last-minute penalty to bring the score line to 13-6 at Half Time. Alton had clearly enjoyed the half and made far better use of their territorial gains.
In the second half Pumas followed Alton's earlier example and began running the ball, they were rewarded 10 minutes into the half they worked the ball out wide where Connell popped up to take the score to 13-11.
This stung Alton back into life and within 5 minutes Hopkin picked up the ball at the back of a scrum and as the forwards drove Pumas back he popped to Pantrey, a deft chip over the top landed in centre Fran Williams' safe hands, and although caught on the line he touched down, 18-11.
The match was now very closely contested, and teams exchanged penalties, centre Aaron Harrington scoring Alton's, these took the score to 21 -14. 10 minutes from the end Pumas ran into a purple patch scoring 2 further tries, one of which was converted. Connell scored both and collected a total of 24 points on the day; 21-26.
Alton were not beaten and 5 minutes from the end were awarded a lineout. A clean take and a 10-metre drive was stopped illegally when the maul was brought down. Pantrey pounced on the ball, took the kick quickly and scampered over for Alton's 4th and bonus try, with the scores now tied the conversion would have given Alton the lead, it was not to be. Pumas brought the game to an end with a penalty on full-time. 26-29.
A good performance by Alton who came so close to beating 4th place Locksheath Pumas can only encourage the side who also earned a losing bonus point.
Alton do not have a home league match next weekend; their next fixture is on the 17th February when they visit league leaders Romsey. If they can improve their performance again then anything is possible.