Alton 1st XV Win 'Crunch' Match in Style to go Clear at the Top of Table

When Alton last played Farnborough, away in the league, they were beaten by the home side 24 -43, although the result had been in doubt until the final 10 minutes. Saturday’s match was the return fixture, with both teams on top of the league on 60 league points it was a “crunch” game for both sides.

The pitch-side atmosphere created by Alton’s largest home crowd for some seasons gave the team the boost they needed to deliver the best possible result in a high stakes game. The visitors, in their own words, “never got into the game”; they weren’t allowed to. Alton’s precision passing and domination of scrums sat Farnborough back on their heels.

It took Alton all of 3 minutes to score, winger Ryan Bale finishing off a move starting from an Alton scrum fed efficiently down the back division to allow him to finish off in the corner. The 2nd try followed 12 minutes later when centre Cameron Wickes ran onto a kick ahead by stand-off Joe Gwyther to touch down in the opposite corner. 4 minutes later Bale scored his second try, again following a flowing move, this time he touched down under the posts to make Gwyther’s conversion attempt easy; 17 – 0. Farnborough were rocking and Alton’s other centre, Oli Fielder scored the bonus point try on 23 minutes, Gwyther converted; 24 – 0. The pack then decided it was their turn and flanker Matt Sellstrom finished off an interlinking move by the forwards with an outrageous dummy, 29 – 0. Just before half-time Farnborough did score a try from a maul. Alex Stewart finishing it to save them from total embarrassment. HT 29 – 5

Two minutes after the break Alton scored again with a jinking run by replacement scrum-half Oli Burden giving Gwyther the chance to take the score to 36 – 5; he accepted the opportunity. 3 minutes later hooker Luke Parratt added to Farnborough’s woes scoring following a forwards’ drive, again Gwyther converted; 43 – 5. The visitors were now totally defeated, and Alton settled down to enjoying themselves although the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly. Further tries came from replacement winger Mike Robson who collected a pin-point kick ahead by Gwyther following a 15 metre drive by the pack. Two more tries finished off the match with; Jez Powell who was set free by #8 Tony Hopkin when Parratt took a strike against the head, one of many; and finally prop Nick Stoffel who finished off yet another drive from a line-out, Gwyther converted both of these. FT 63 – 5

Alton’s Chairman, Tom Gaynor congratulated the team after saying that “Their style of play was exciting, expansive and frequently, extraordinary. Everything was executed at speed and with a ruthless efficiency. They owned Anstey Park.”

Alton cannot rest on their laurels, the 2nd placed side is Ellingham and Ringwood, who are still only 2 points behind but still have to play away against Farnborough on 9th February, and at home against Alton on 30th March.

Three of Saturday’s squad Ollie Burden, Oli Fielder and Alex Hankins all had the honour of representing the Hampshire Under 20 team last Sunday against Dorset & Wiltshire at Salisbury RFC.

Next Saturday Alton travel to play Surrey 1 side Old Mid-Whitgiftians in the quarter-final of the London & South-East RFU Junior Vase, kick-off time is to be confirmed, as soon as it is known it will be shown on Alton’s web site; www.altonrfc.club