This game was hastily rearranged at the last moment due to plumbing issues at Anstey Park, and Alton Silverbacks therefore had another tough away encounter on a bright day at Millbrook. With Millbrook having lost only once this season and with many changes in the Alton squad, Alton started somewhat disjointedly as the Millbrook forwards took the game to Alton early on.
After conceding a couple of early penalties, the hosts crafted a clever cross field kick. Unexpectedly on the sodden pitch, the Alton backs were deceived by the high bounce and the Millbrook left wing pounced to give Millbrook an early lead after only 3 minutes - that was subsequently excellently converted from far out wide. 7-0
Coupled with more Alton errors and indiscretions, the Millbrook line out was also functioning well and Alton struggled to build any momentum or gain good territory in the early stages.
However Alton’s running game slowly started to function, lock Tom Smethurst burst through the Millbrook defence and offloaded well, Cameron Hamer straightened the line and the effervescent Oliver Burden scored in the corner. Not to be outdone by the Millbrook conversion, Cameron Wicks executed a great conversion of his own and the scores were level after 10 minutes. More importantly, Alton had weathered the storm and had gained a foothold in the game.
The Alton backs were clicking into gear and functioned well all afternoon, Wicks and Hamer creating space out wide with clever switch moves and long passing. Both players also have a kicking option, but any territory gains were repelled by the Millbrook set piece. Loose play on 24 minutes however, lead to Ben Burrage picking up the ball near half-way, and the flanker weaved his way left and right superbly to eventually create an opportunity for Ed Pasfield to give Alton the lead in the corner.
The Alton backs had pace to spare against the Millbrook defence, and surely this was going to be critical to the game, assuming the Alton forwards secured enough ball. Burden nearly escaped the clutches of the Millbrook centres, offloaded well to Wicks on 36 minutes and the fly-half kicked toward the Millbrook posts. This time it was the Millbrook defence who failed to read the path of ball as it veered sharply right, and Hamer touched the ball down unopposed.
Still time in the first half for Millbrook to score another try as Alton failed to clear their line on several occasions, and again the left winger scored again to reduce the deficit to just 7 points at half time. 14-21.
Alton made forward changes at half time and Jeremy Powell made an instant impression as the Silverbacks started the second half brightly. Fran Williams at full back, joined the backs and created space for Kyle Bale who carved through the Millbrook defence. As he was shunted over the line, Alton appeared to score but the ball was adjudged to have been held up. The pressure was coming now as Millbrook struggled to clear, and a poor kick was hit straight into the grateful arms of Wicks who ran in to score the bonus point try.
The gaps were starting to appear now, Pasfield with a rampaging run escaped from well inside his own territory to his own half, Karter Whittock showed tremendous pace only to be held just short of the line, but the Millbrook defensive line was breached once more as hooker Luke Parratt jinked his way with neat footwork to score again under the posts.
Whittock was everywhere now, quick to every breakdown and after ripping the ball on the Millbrook 22, Hamer was released to score again after further deft passing by the Alton backs.
In contrast Millbrook backs lacked any real penetration and they were not to score in the 2nd half as Alton’s defence rarely looked threatened. At 14-40, the game was over and although Millbrook controlled more territory, they transgressed on a couple of occasions to the displeasure of the referee.
With an Alton hand slowing the ball down in the ruck, Millbrook were perhaps a little fortunate to escape a caution after a stamping incident, but 5 minutes from time the forwards frustration boiled over and this time it was penalised with a yellow card.
The last knockings of the game were largely played in midfield, but still time for Hamer to make a crunching tackle to quell another Millbrook foray.
So Alton maintained their 100% start to the season with 7 wins from 7 games. The wily, experienced forwards up front partnered with the youthful back row forwards and skilful backs look a potent force. Also encouraging is the strength in depth in the squad, with players taking their opportunity and not letting the side down when called upon.
Elsewhere, Sandown and Shanklin won again 91-0 over Eastleigh to also maintain their perfect record and keep them close to the league leaders with a game in hand.