With both teams at the top of Hampshire 1 with 3 bonus point wins out of 3 this match promised to be a very close and hotly contested match, and so it proved, with victory for Alton only secured 1 minute before the final whistle.
Playing downhill on the improved surface of the main pitch in Anstey Park Alton soon took the lead when they were awarded a penalty. Stand-off Joe Gwyther securing the points, 3-0.
Ellingham and Ringwood responded immediately with a penalty of their own, 3-3. Alton reacted by running the ball at every opportunity and 7 minutes into the half flanker Karter Whittock finished off a flowing move, 8-3.
Alton’s pack were responsible for the next try 6 minutes later when they encamped on the visitors’ goal line. They were awarded a scrummage, a clean heel by hooker Luke Parratt allowed Tony Hopkin to pick the ball up at the back, he scampered over for a typical no. 8 score, Gwyther kicked the conversion taking the score to 15-3.
The visitors kicked another penalty just 2 minutes later but, almost immediately, fell further behind when Alton’s backs flowed into their half, a Cipriani-like pass by Joe Gwyther missed out 2 players giving right winger Ryan Bale the room to go over in the corner. HT 20-6

Starting the second half Alton seemed to relax, Ellingham and Ringwood sensed this and by using their very competent set of backs had scored 3 tries by the 15th minute of the half, fortunately none were converted. Facing defeat by a point Alton encamped in the visitors’ 22 metre area, but they were kept out by a very stoic defensive effort. Alton were awarded several penalties but to gain the try bonus point they tried to use their superior line-out technique and were repelled. 10 minutes from the end Alton opted to kick one of these penalties and Gwyther put them back ahead 23-21.
Alton were subjected a strong attacking effort by Ellingham and Ringwood, but their defence held. On the stroke of full time Alton were awarded a scrum some 10 metres from the opposition goal-line, the defenders anticipated a repeat of Alton’s efforts through the forwards, but this time scrum-half George Pantry, passed to his left, away from the pack, into the path of centre Brendan Sumner bursting through, he was virtually untouched as he crossed the line to score beneath the posts giving Gwyther an easy conversion to take the final score to 30-21.
A well-deserved try bonus victory in an entertaining match, that had the watching crowd enthralled from beginning to end, also denying the visitors their loosing bonus point. FT 30-21

Next Saturday Alton are away in Hampshire 1. Yet again, it will be a top of the table clash, this time against Farnborough, who currently lead Alton on points difference. Both teams have won their first 4 games with a try bonus point in each match. Kick-off is at 3:00 p.m.