A competent Performance Lifts Alton to 6th in Snows Hampshire 2

On Saturday Alton played their first ever away league game against Chineham. Although the match was shown in the fixture lists as being played at Anstey Park, Alton had hosted the earlier encounter as Chineham did not have a pitch available.

Chineham’s pitch has a similar slope to that on the 1st XV pitch in Anstey Park so despite, playing uphill in the first half, Alton felt at home. So much so that they were 0-7 up within 2 minutes when a clearance kick by Chineham was charged down in their own half, Alton’s three quarters pounced on the ball and with quick hands moved it quickly right. A final flipped pass putting centre Fran Williams clear to touch down below the posts, George Pantrey converted.
8 minutes later Alton scored again when they moved the ball along the backs, right wing Ryan Bale skilfully swerved, avoided both the defender and touch line, giving full back Mike Robson room to touch down, again under the posts, Pantrey converting; 0-14.
The next score came on 25 minutes when Fran Williams, following a forceful run, was tackled short, the forwards piled in and #8 Tony Hopkins helped himself to a try, again Pantrey converted; 0-21.
Chineham forwards now came more into the game keeping Alton out for the rest of the half. Half Time Score 0-21

Straight from the restart Alton, with the slope now in their favour, went back on the attack. A few minutes into the half a forward drive was foiled by a high tackle. Alton opted for the line-out but, unfortunately, they knocked on. Trying to clear from the resultant scrum a poor kick gave Robson a chance to run at speed, dancing along the touch line, he passed inside to give Fran Williams his second try of the game, Pantrey missed the kick 0-25, but Alton had earned a much needed try bonus point.
Using their forwards to good effect Chineham got into the Alton half and were rewarded with an unconverted try; 5-26.
Alton returned to Chineham territory for most of the rest of the match but on 2 occasions were denied tries as the referee was unsighted, however Ryan Capes did manage one further score when he finished off a move started by the backs and then driven on by the forwards; 5-31.
A competent, if unspectacular, performance, this third win in succession lifts Alton to 6th in Snows Hampshire 2. Final Score 5-31

In the last league game of the season, on Saturday 7th April, they will host this season’s Snows Hampshire 2 champions Farnborough RFC. If Alton can just lift their game a little more then anything is possible. Kick-off is 3:00 p.m. in Anstey Park.