The Trojan War is undoubtedly one of the greatest wars in classical Greek mythology. In truth, this rugby confrontation was not a legendary conflict that will be talked about in 800 years, but Alton Silverbacks will take solace in a vital bonus point win against Trojans from Eastleigh that moves them one step closer to retaining their status in this division.
However, Trojans pushed them all the way and could have snatched an unlikely draw or even a victory as Alton were nearly made to pay after conceding several late penalties when they had seemingly assembled an unassailable lead.
As Plato was quoted “Human behaviour flows from three main sources – desire, emotion and knowledge” and Alton possessed just a little more of all three as they deservedly took the spoils of victory
They welcomed back Oli Burden after an injury hit season, Ben Burrage reverted to his more customary forward role, but the win was carved out largely due to notable performances from Luke Harriss and Oli Fielder. It was Fielder that set the right tone from the start with two bursts into the heart of the Trojans defence shortly followed by a Burrage rampage that nearly created an opening for Harriss to score after 5 minutes.
However, Alton were not to be denied, the appropriately named Dan Androuliakos found himself in midfield and weaved his way through the massed ranks of the Trojans defence to give Alton the lead. Cameron Hamer (not the Greek author Homer) added the conversion. 7-0 with 8 minutes played
Trojans responded well. Playing down the slope, they quickly forced Alton on to the back foot and three quick penalties immediately gave them a kickable opportunity that they duly converted to reduce the deficit.
Both sides failed to establish any real dominance in the set piece. Mark Greenhalgh rose high to take a Luke Parratt well-judged throw from 5 metres out but that was the exception rather than the rule and the line out was largely a lottery for both teams. The scrum was an even contest but even there both sides were penalised for not driving straight and neither could string together a sustained period of pressure.
Missing Captain Tom Smethurst this week coupled with the absence of Joe Gwyther, the assured Hamer and belligerent Luke Bottomley stood up strong and constantly probed to find holes in the visitor’s defence.
Another overthrown lineout from Trojans was collected well by Bottomley, Fielder burst through off a skilful crash ball from Hamer, and the ball was spun out to Harriss, with space on the right wing to go over.
The Trojans regrouped under their own posts and even though their captain perhaps lacked the inspirational words of Socrates, it provoked a response as Alton conceded two late penalties in the first half for holding on when tackled. It could have been worse, but a last-ditch rolling maul was held up well by Alton’s defence. 12-9 at half time.
Not to be outdone by his youthful back row counterparts, the experienced Jeremy Powell jackalled well over the ball to earn an early second half penalty but both sides were guilty of handling errors and there was little pattern in the game.
“Quality is not an act, it is a habit” was proven as yet another Fielder quality break created havoc once more, and this time Alton capitalised with Powell releasing Harriss for his second try of the match in the left corner.
It seemed the only way that Trojans could march towards the Alton line would be through the host’s mistakes, and Alton duly obliged with a number of penalties to establish good field possession for Trojans as they created space and scoring out wide left through their powerful wing.
A superb 50:22 kick by Hamer using the wind and Anstey slope created an opportunity to seal the victory, which was closely followed by a further penalty into the corner. Harriss was just stopped 2 metres out, Hamer then glided through the forwards but was also repelled and Burrage met a similar fate.
However, from a 5-metre scrum, Hamer found Ed Thomas and the full back sliced through from 15 metres out to score Alton’s bonus point try with 12 minutes remaining
“It is not what happens to you, but how you react that matters” and the Trojans reacted brilliantly as they constantly challenged the Alton defence for the remainder of the game. A penalty in front of the posts was converted to bring them back to within 7 points, Fielder was sinbinned as the pressure grew and with 2 minutes remaining their diminutive back ran in unopposed from 10 metres out.
The conversion would have levelled the scores, but the blustery conditions were not easy to contend with and Alton maintained their slim margin. The 14 men stood strong and as Trojans desperately sought any type of score to win the game, they knocked the ball forward into touch to home relief with Alton winning by 24-22.
Not a classic by any means, but Alton just edged it as deserved winners and for a change came out on the right side of a close encounter. After mounting a late rally and with a losing bonus point, Trojans were inevitably philosophical in defeat.