Because their home game against Alresford just before Christmas was postponed following very heavy rain, Alton Silverbacks have slipped to 2nd place in the Hampshire Premiership and are 3 points behind Petersfield who have played one game more than Alton.
Alton Silverbacks gave themselves the best possible start to the New Year when within 2 minutes of the kick-off a good interlocking move released centre Cameron Wicks to score under the posts, he converted his own try; 0-7.
Alton quickly realised that the defence of the home side was maybe not as good as it should have been and within 4 minutes added to their points total when Bren Sumner followed up a kick ahead from half-way, Wicks converted; 0-14.
Farnborough began to defend more stoically, and it took until the 27th minutes for Alton to score again when it became the forwards’ turn. A lineout followed a couple of good flowing moves. The throw in was cleanly caught and the pack rumbled in, Exeter Chiefs’ style. Flanker Jez Powell was credited with the try which Wicks duly converted; 0-21.
The Silverbacks’ tails were now up again as number 8 Matt Selstrom touched down for the bonus point try following more good passing play, Wicks took the score to 0-28.
Sellstrom was involved in the next score just on half-time when his bullocking charge released the backs, winger Lewis Ayres-Jones finishing the move and Wicks adding his 5th successive conversion; 0-35.
Alton began the second half in the same vein when the home side kicked ahead, full-back Daniel Androuliakos picked it up, dodged defender after defender with his mazey running, to score a fine individual try; 0-40.
5 minutes later, replacement Michael Robson with his first touch of the ball kicked ahead, the bounce favoured him, and he touched down behind the posts giving Wicks the easiest of conversions; 0-47.
Farnborough dominated the next quarter of an hour and following persistent forward pressure were rewarded on 65 minutes with a well-earned try; 5-47.
However, the rest of the match belonged to Alton, Wicks on 73 minutes broke out of his own half, sold a couple of outrageous dummies before releasing the other backs, Androuliakos completing the move; 5-52.
The Silverbacks had yet one more try in them, Ayres-Jones finishing off a back move in which the passing resembled that in basketball! Wicks kicked his 7th conversion taking his personal points tally to 19.
Next Saturday, 11th January Alton Silverbacks will welcome Eastleigh 2nds to Anstey Park and will want to keep the pressure on Petersfield. Kick-off is at 2 p.m. in Anstey Park.