Alton RFC 1st XV Go to the Top of the Table

Back in action this weekend, following the previous Saturday’s lack of a game, when Alton were awarded a home walkover in the L&SE Region Junior Vase cup competition, they welcomed Southampton to Anstey Park.,
Nice warm autumn sunshine and a pitch in excellent condition, despite the recent heavy rain, provided the promise of a flowing game of rugby. So it proved, at least for the home club.
Alton totally outclassed their visitors and within 2 minutes of the kick-off winger Oli Fielder had scored the first try. Within 3 minutes centre Jess Powell, on a good attack line took good pass and struck the next blow with Joe Gwyther converting, 12-0. A short lull in the scoring was broken when Fielder collected his second, Gwyther again converting. 19-0. Gwyther was to score next when he scored the individual try of the day racing home from inside his own 22 metre area to outpace the defence. 18 minutes gone, and Alton had their try bonus point leading 24-0.
The next try scorer was flanker Karter Whittock putting down for an unconverted try. Centre Aaron Harrington 2 minutes later followed suit, this time Gwyther converted, 38-0. Southampton to their credit attacked and were rewarded with 5 points when their forwards forced themselves over in the corner. 38-5. 10 minutes later Aton prop Nick Stoffel used his bulk to get over the goal line and Gwyther took the half-time score to 43-5. HT 43 - 5

The second half was all Alton, they kept the pressure on Southampton and through good support play, and excellent lines of running, helped themselves to a further 9 tries starting with Fielder getting his 3rd; the other scorers were replacement winger Zak Allen; Whittock; hooker Luke Parratt (3); flanker Ryan Capes; winger Ryan Bale and last, but not least, fullback Fran Williams; Gwyther put over a further 4 conversions to take his personal haul for the afternoon to 21 points. FT 96 - 5

Alton’s afternoon got even better when they learnt that they now top the league table, leaders Farnborough had only secured a losing bonus point away to Ellingham & Ringwood (22 - 15). Despite both Farnborough and Alton having 26 league points, Alton’s game points difference is 43 greater.
Next Saturday Alton’s league fixture is away to Andover 2nds, hopefully they can maintain their level of performance and remain at the top of the league.