Alton Silverbacks welcomed local rivals Farnborough and continued their winning start to the season after a convincing first half performance on a hot day at Anstey Park. Silverbacks are naturally found in tropical forests, and with the temperature approaching 25C, they adjusted to the conditions well, although both sides should be congratulated for their fitness in a great running game of rugby in testing conditions.
Under a cloudless sky, Alton fielded two debutants as Arthur Rowe Jones and substitute Mark Jamieson stepped up in a youthful looking line up for Alton.
Farnborough, sitting bottom of Hampshire 1, came to Alton on the back of two heavy defeats but started well, and after Alton were penalised for a high tackle, Farnborough converted the subsequent penalty in the 3rd minute.
Alton, playing with the slope, quickly rallied, Ryan Bale took a long pass from Cameron Wicks and cut a great line through the Farnborough backs. Farnborough scrambled their defence to stop the Alton forwards, but after an offside infringement, Mark Crowther’s quick thinking after the penalty scored their opening try and Alton led 5-3. Wicks converted the try, shortly followed by two penalties as Alton stretched their lead to 13-3 as Alton began to warm to their running rugby.
Tom Smethurst broke from his own half with a 40 metre lung bursting run after 18 minutes, Crowther passed into midfield and Alex Hankins could not be stooped from short range. 20-3.
With Alex George again impressive in the lineout, and Karter Whittock and Ed Pasfield gaining good ground , Alton’s back row forwards were dominating the game. George won two Farnborough line outs in quick succession, Pasfield punched through midfield again and from a rolling maul in the corner, Whittock spun off to score Alton’s third try.
A few of the more experienced Farnborough forwards looked to be struggling with the heat at this point, and the young blood of Alton soon made them pay again. The balanced running of hooker Alex El-Batel was a feature of open play, and Pasfield scored for Alton’s bonus point try after only 31 minutes.
Farnborough came back at them and although they rarely threatened the Alton line, they spent most of the remaining minutes in the Alton half, only briefly interrupted when Alton broke upfield and Wicks scored yet another penalty.
Half time, 34-3 and Farnborough wisely took to the shade of an Anstey oak tree to collect their heads and regather.
It seemed to work. They started the second half brightly and their lively centre quickly restored some pride, cutting through the Silverbacks defence to score under the posts
Ben Burrage stole a Farnborough lineout, El-Batal cut through again and was pulled down a few metres out, but there was no stopping Pasfield for his second try. Wicks converted from wide out and Alton had restored their points advantage
Mark Jamieson came on for Kyle Bale, and whether it was Alton were feeling the heat or they believed the game was, Farnborough soon made them think again with two quickly taken tries to cut the lead to 41-24 with still 15 minutes to go. The Farnborough backs who had been largely ineffective in the first half were now creating opportunities and the momentum was now with Farnborough as they sought a bonus point try.
If it was possible in the baking sun, it was a time for a cool head, and Wicks took control and the sting out of the game by kicking long and forcing Farnborough to run from deep. Brendan Sumner kicked to the corner but Jameson was stopped a few metres out. As Farnborough struggled to get out of their territory, Pasfield again burst through and it would have been fitting for him to score his hat trick try, but Farnborough resisted once more. However the ball was quickly recycled and Ryan Bale scored again after a Sumner off-load to finally quell the Farnborough fightback.
Farnborough showed some great spirit to outscore Alton in the second half and although Alton remain unbeaten, they will have learned some lessons from that period. There were many positives to be taken from the game however, Wicks never missed a kick all afternoon and the young players proved Alton have some serious strength in all positions.