In challenging gusty conditions, Portsmouth mastered the elements far better than Alton Silverbacks and ultimately this proved to be the difference between the sides as they won by 27-15 thanks largely to an early flurry of points.
Playing not far from the South Coast and with a strong tailwind, Portsmouth have probably played in these conditions more than once and they blew away their visitors in the opening 15 minutes.
Their tactics were clear from very early on as they repeatedly kicked deep into Alton territory frequently forcing the Alton backs to turn.
An early penalty after 3 minutes gave Portsmouth the lead and shortly after Alton were pushed back to deep within their own territory again after being penalised for entering the side of the ruck much to the displeasure of the travelling support. Portsmouth also had the height advantage in the line out and an incisive move ended with their forwards running around the front to score the first try. The kicker hardly had to touch the ball for the conversion as it sailed through the posts. 10-0
The Alton kick off was almost immediately returned with interest as Portsmouth kicked deep again. There was no intent to find touch from Portsmouth, this was blasted straight down the middle of the pitch and Alton were failing to weather the storm.
A Portsmouth grubber kick this time touched a hand as it looped over the try line, and as the Alton backs stood off expecting the ball to clear the dead ball line, the right winger nipped into score. Another fine conversion from near the touchline and Alton were 17-0 down with only 14 minutes played.
Portsmouth failed to gather the restart and finally Alton had an opportunity to spend some time in the host’s territory. With ball in hand, Alton started to show some promising signs as where Portsmouth possessed more power, the Alton backs looked to have more agility and speed. Ed Thomas weaved through the defence, but the ball went forward, and George Lucas was brought down as he tried to find an opening from 8 metres out.
Luke Parratt sensibly found Tom Smethurst from 5 metres out as Alton started to mount wave after wave of attacks. The official was becoming frequently frustrated with the amount of penalties that Portsmouth were giving away, and Alton were reverting to scrum restarts where they were dominant throughout rather than the lottery of a lineout in these testing conditions. Caleb Wolfreys was tackled just short and again Portsmouth were warned for offside, but in front of the posts, Alton opted for the penalty and Cameron Hamer posted their first score. Portsmouth were clearly relieved to have only conceded 3 points.
The remainder of the half was largely played in Alton territory as the pattern continued. They had few opportunities to release the pressure and Portsmouth scored their third try on 35 minutes with some powerful running after a 10-metre line out. 22-3 at half time but considering the opening 15 minutes, Alton were still very much in the game.
George Pantrey reverted to his customary scrum half role, Thomas went to full back and Alton were bolstered by changes in the pack with Mayowa Olonilua and Mark Greenhalgh joining the pack. A rolling maul was brought down a few metres out, but moments later, the ball popped out and there was no stopping who Nick Stoffel who scored in the corner. 22-8 after 48 minutes. Hamer’s conversion was hurried as the ball was dislodged twice from the kicking tee.
The match was played almost entirely in front of the Portsmouth clubhouse and they had a good view as Parratt was tackled high and Portsmouth were reduced to 14 men.
An Alton score during this sin-bin period would have really created some home side jitters, but Portsmouth defended well to their credit and they eventually were able to string some phases of play together and kicked deep into Alton territory. In probably their only attack of the second half, Portsmouth scored their bonus point try after a rolling maul and the result was decided.
Alton battled to the end, and in the final moments, Hamer breezed through the defence to score a consolation try but Alton left rueing those decisive opening moments
Alton’s second team, the Blackbacks, also travelled to Portsmouth and won 22-10 against Portsmouth III to consolidate their position as league leaders in Hampshire 4.