Silverbacks claim first away win at Trojans

Alton continued with their recent good form and fully deserved to win 27-19 against Trojans in Eastleigh
The game was played in bitterly cold conditions with the remnants of Storm Arwen providing a stiff test for both teams. Ultimately Alton managed the conditions far better than their hosts, kicking well when required plus also playing some free-flowing rugby at times.
With the wind in their faces in the first half, Alton struggled to gain any territory in the first 10 minutes and quickly conceded 3 penalties as Trojans dominated early on and ran with the ball at every opportunity.
When they did gain possession, Alton played with more ambition, and the return of Oli Fielder at centre was a constant threat to the home defence frequently takes two or three players to stop his progress.
Even in these conditions, the combination of Luke Parratt and Ben Burrage worked really well in the line out, the scrum was solid and any chances that Trojans created were largely from broken play, but they also possessed some strong runners in midfield and took the lead midway through the first half as they burst through to score under the posts.
A 50:22 kick by Trojans saw them soon camped deep into Alton territory again, but Alton took advantage after a quick penalty and marched purposefully upfield from within their own 22. Trojans defence was scrambling now and when Cameron Hamer was stopped just short, there was no stopping Fielder to crash over the line from 5 metres out to level the scores. 7-7.
Joe Gwyther, with a deft pass to Hamer created space for George Lucas on the wing, Fielder again burst through from halfway and eventually Trojans were penalised and Gwyther coolly slotted the penalty to take the lead.
Trojans quickly responded as the Alton scrum disintegrated and the regained the lead against the run of play at this stage, but shortly afterwards Alton backs combined well once more, Lucas kicked through, the ball eventually falling to Hamer who gleefully dived over the line to restore Alton’s lead at half time. 17-12 against the wind.
The first 10 minutes of the second half was played entirely in the Alton half, and after Gwyther was yellow carded for what was deemed a dangerous tackle, things were looking ominous at this stage as Trojans took the lead 19-17 as the gaps began to open in the defensive line.
Playing a man short, Alton needed to dig in at this point and they did just that and more. In fact, they began to control territory and possession and Trojans were pushed back and failed to really launch a meaningful attack for the rest of the match. Alton forced a penalty and Hamer took the opportunity superbly to once again take the lead
Josh Richardson found space out wide and although attack came to nothing, the home defence was now increasingly under pressure and they were now also irritating the referee. On at least 2 occasions, penalties were reversed against them for back chat and they were reduced to 14 men themselves for pulling back as Alton kicked through once more.
Parratt nearly scored after an impressive maul, but the ball was dislodged just as he was about to touch down over the line. Trojans seemed to have survived a constant period of pressure as Alton knocked on after a line out. However, the referee awarded another penalty as Trojans lost some discipline as they jostled the Alton pack in their overzealous celebrations.
Eventually the pressure told, this time Alton resisted the opportunity to kick the ball in the corner and instead Gwyther waited for the wind to drop to extend their lead. Moments late the midfield combined but Alex Toft was stopped 5 metres out. A loose pass that did not go to hand seemed to have halted the momentum of this latest attack, but as the Trojans defence stood of, the mercurial Gwyther cleverly found an opening for Richardson to score in the right corner with only minutes remaining. 27-19, a result which denied Trojans a losing bonus point.
Having now won 3 of their last 4 matches, with their only defeat in that spell being by that last second try against Andover, Alton are now pulling away from the bottom of London 3 South West and now stand 8th in the division.
Great credit to the squad for this turnaround after losing their opening 5 games. Luke Bottomley has been a valuable asset playing in several positions in the pack and with the experience of the likes of Parratt and captain Tom Smethurst coupled with the addition of younger players such as Harriss and Burrage, the set piece is now functioning much better which is producing more opportunities for the backs.
Next week is a home fixture at Anstey Park against Old Emanuel who beat Basingstoke 37-10