Alton RFC 1st XV Win Away to Stay top of Hampshire 1

What a difference a week makes, lost were the warm balmy conditions of the last match replaced by a biting northerly wind, a maximum temperature of 5 degrees C, and as the game ended, rain.
However, Alton RFC adapted well and took the lead through the forwards after 5 minutes when they drove Andover back over their goal line, hooker Luke Parratt emerging with the ball.
Not to be outdone the backs scored 5 minutes later through stand-off Ed Thomas following a typical passing move. Andover came back into the game preventing the visitors from settling into their normal flowing game, somewhat assisted by some poor final passes on both flanks which had they gone to hand would have released the wingers.
Alton regained control of the match 2 minutes before half-time when centre Oli Fielder finished off a backs’ move. Joe Gwyther, this week playing at centre added a penalty shortly after to take the score to 0-18. HT 0 -18

Almost immediately after the start of the second half scrum-half, George Pantrey, squirrelled his way over, Gwyther collecting the additional 2 points for the conversion 0-25.
Alton now showing confidence ran everything at Andover whose defence held firm until 18 minutes into the second half when flanker Karter Whitlock scored. He was soon followed by his back-row colleague #8 Matt Sellstrom who collected his first league points for Alton, 0-35.
Nine minutes later Fielder touched down for his second try of the afternoon which Gwyther converted, 0-42.
Jez Powell scored 2 minutes later, Gwyther converted, and the scoring was completed by replacement hooker, James Raynor, playing his first ever match for Alton, and by winger Ryan Bale who has now scored in every match this season except one. FT 0 - 59

Alton still head the Hampshire 1 league table, although they are on the same number of league points (31) as Farnborough. But Farnborough have closed the points difference to 10 with a resounding 93-3 home win against Ventnor.

Next Saturday Alton have a home league fixture against 3rd place Overton. Kick-off in Anstey Park at 1:15 p.m. Alton need to win well to maintain their momentum.