Dolphins Avenge Their Home Defeat

At last, despite heavy rain on Thursday, Alton Silverbacks were able to stage their 1st home game for a month, the pitch selected held up well justifying the work done by Alton Town Council and the Rugby Club over the last couple of seasons.

Alton began well enough when Oli Fielder slotted over a penalty after 5 mins; 3-0. The two sides seemed equally matched until a kick ahead from broken play by the visitors was not tidied up, Henry Young touching down with Simon Morgan converting: 3-7. 10 minutes later Havant scored again, this time from a lineout in the corner the ball was fed to the wing where Vince Parker scored the try, it was not converted; 3-12.
The next score also came from a lineout at the end of the first half, this time it was the Silverbacks through a forward drive George Frend was credited with the try; HT 8-12.

The second half kicked off with Alton now having the freshening wind behind them. However, the Dolphins were the next to score running in virtually unopposed, Lloyd Sampson finishing off a good flowing move, Morgan collected the extra points; 8-19. The next 20 minutes were evenly contested with neither side dominant, however Alton’s defence again was lacking stability, Havant’s Parker accepted his second try and their try bonus point, Morgan again added the extras; 8 -26. The home team quickly recovered their poise and Ryan Capes finished off a well organised short passing move, Fielder converted; 15-26. Two minutes later Havant were again on the score sheet when they completed their scoring with a try by Pete Living, again converted by Morgan; 15-33. Alton had not given up and realising that they could dominate the tight play moved back upfield. They were awarded a put-in 5 metres in front of the posts. Instead of trying to push over they moved the scrum slightly to the right creating a gap for centre Bren Sumner to gallop through and touch down, Fielder collected the conversion; 22-33.
Alton immediately went back on the attack looking for the losing and try bonus point, but unfortunately they ran out of time. FT 22-33

Although the Silverbacks did not gain any league points they remain in second place in the Hampshire Premiership, still 9 points behind Petersfield who have now played one game less. Havant Dolphins remain in third, 3 points behind.

Next Saturday, the Alton Silverbacks will finally be able to play their delayed Hampshire Plate Semi-Final when they welcome Locksheath Pumas to Anstey Park. Kick-off time will be 12:30pm. The winners will host the Final against Isle of Wight on 25th April 2020.