As the final score suggests this was an excellent performance by all of Alton’s 18 strong squad. They took revenge for 4 seasons of losses to Romsey, even better because it was at Romsey’s ground where they had only been defeated once in the current campaign.
The first score came just 6 minutes after the whistle when winger Ryan Bale finished off a good interlinking move between the forwards and backs, when he safely gathered a long miss pass from stand-off Joe Gwyther; 0-5.
Gwyther himself scored 5 minutes later when he chipped the defence, gathered his own kick to give himself an easy conversion; 0-12.
10 minutes later full-back Mike Robson was the beneficiary of a pitch length move involving most of the team which Gwyther finished off with another miss pass; 0-17.
Good recycling of the ball on 28 minutes freed Bale for his second try and Robson followed suit 5 minutes later, Gwyther converting; 0-29.
At this point Romsey woke up and put themselves on the score sheet with an unconverted try; 5-29. Alton hooker Luke Parratt took the points back soon after taking the half-time score to 5-34. HT 5-34
#8 Tony Hopkin took up the scoring bug taking a quick penalty 9 minutes into the second half, Gwyther added the 2 extra points; 5-41.
This stung Romsey into action and they racked up 2 tries in 2 minutes, one of which was converted; 17-41.
That was their last scoring contribution as Alton took full command with tries for Sam Bridger when he ran in from 22 metres out untouched, and 2 more from Bale to take his total to 4 for the afternoon; 17-56.
Parratt picked up his second following a bullocking run by 2nd row Chris Gregory, Gwyther converted.
8 minutes from the end, and not to be left out, replacement Alex Hayward used his not inconsiderable block to force Alton’s last and 12th try. FT 17-68.
Alton’s coaching staff were delighted with the performance and calculated that one scoring move had passed through the hands of every player on the field wearing red and black!
Alton head the Hampshire 1 league table, although they only are 1 league point ahead of Farnborough, who were awarded a home walkover but the the points difference has stretched to 90.
Next Saturday Alton have a home fixture against Bec Old Boys in the 3rd round of the London & SE Region Vase. Kick-off in Anstey Park is planned for 2:00 p.m. but always check on our fixtures for the latest information.