For most, George Lucas's name will forever be synonymous with Star Wars. However, Alton Silverbacks have a George Lucas of their own and it was Lucas that created his own personal original trilogy and proved to be the difference in an entertaining win over Old Cranleighans.
Up front it was largely an even contest, but Lucas searing pace was at times on another planet and he scored 3 memorable second half tries as Alton deservedly ran out 30-17 winners.
With Joe Gwyther and Cameron Hamer returning to the backs, and Nick Stoffel rejoining the front row, Alton had a more familiar team structure, but without Ben Burrage at line-out they could not capitalize on some early field possession after Lucas had kicked his grubber kick deep to within 10 metres of OC’s line.
OC’s appeared to have cleared their lines, but Oli Fielder’s powerful running return supported by the elusive Hamer resulted in OC’s scramble defence being caught offside, and Gwyther coolly slotted a difficult penalty for Alton to take the lead after 7 minutes.
OC’s backs struggled to create a significant opening throughout but for whatever they lacked in warp speed, they possessed their own weaponry in the form of a great kicking game and an unstoppable forward’s rolling maul.
A fine 50:22 kick from the OC’s full back after 15 minutes resulted in their first incursion into the Alton half, and from the resulting line out where Alton chose to not compete, OC’s maul rumbled over the line to take the lead.
A few minutes later, they again used the same tactic, but a loose pass off the back of the maul spared Alton’s blushes. However, OC’s ‘Stormtroopers’ had recognized how to use the infamous Anstey slope to their advantage and on 27 minutes they extended their lead in a repeat of the first score.
Gwyther’s restart was not collected and after both Hamer and Tom Smethurst were stopped just shy of the line, the ball was adjudged to have been held up as Lucas nearly scored under the posts. “Do or do not. There is no try” – Yoda (and also the referee).
A brave defensive effort from the OC’s left wing foiled another Alton foray from Lucas. Gwyther ducked under a couple of despairing tackles from the mammoth OC’s forwards, as Alton moved the ball left and right searching for an opening, and eventually the ‘force’ was most certainly with Luke, as Bottomley scored for the second successive game from close range. Gwyther’s exceptional conversion tied the scores 10-10 at half time.
With Alton playing down the slope and now dominant in the scrums, they took the game to their visitors. However, OC’s defense tackled well and coupled with some handling errors, Alton soon found themselves in their own 22. As their scrum came under pressure, OC’s looked to get the ball to the backs, but Lucas intercepted and with scintillating pace, he ran 80 metres to score a memorable try.
In loose play, Stoffel, Caleb Wolfreys and the whole pack were becoming increasingly influential and the chinks in OC’s armour were beginning to appear. Hamer and Gwyther picked clever lines to breach the OC’s defense, Bottomley came close again but was held up over the line and eventually Gwyther kicked another penalty to extend the lead.
Generally, Alton had coped better by bringing down the maul immediately at the line out, but with 15 minutes left OC’s again reverted to their tried and tested threat and closed the lead to just 3 points with another rolling maul try. 20-17
OC’s were perhaps a little over ambitious as they tried to run the restart from deep inside their 22, Alton stole the ball and eventually had no match for Lucas terrific speed as he scored with relative ease from 20 metres.
Dan Farr replaced Lucas who was now playing on the wing. The interchange between forwards and backs was proving to be an irresistible force with Gwyther always at the centre of play and marshalling the troops. His cross-field kick to Toft was adjudged to perfection, but still Alton could not find that final score to kill the game off.
Farr was perhaps harshly penalised after creating a nuisance of himself at an OC’s scrum and a few moments later, he again pounced on a loose ball and quickly popped the ball to Lucas who was 15 metres from his own line. Lucas again only had one thought. His impressive acceleration broke through the OC line and he tore down the right wing to score his third and Alton’s bonus point try.
The remainder of the match was largely played in Alton’s half as OC’s fought valiantly to secure a losing bonus point, but Alton stood strong and were good value for their win that consolidates their position in 8th in London 3 South West.
If you have never been to an Alton game, you will find it a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. You may not find a Princess Leia or even a Hans Solo, but you will likely meet a few old wookies in the bar.