Old Walcountians V Alton Silverbacks

After a long wait, Alton Silverbacks finally returned to competitive rugby and started their campaign with a difficult away fixture at Old Walcountians.
Situated high on the Epsom Downs, with wonderful views across the whole of London, it was a glorious Indian summer day, with even a small flock of parakeets perched in the trees, to welcome the arrival of these newly promoted teams to London 3 South West Division.
Although the result seems a convincing win, there were long periods where the game was very even although the most ardent of the Anstey faithful could not argue that the best team on the day won in the end.
The Counts forward pack were physically larger than Alton, however with a front row of Matt Chapman, Luke Parratt and Nick Stoffel, Alton never took a step back all afternoon. Counts were good in the set pieces throughout and this enabled their impressive fly half the time and space to manage the game.
From an immediate knock on, the Counts instantly set about marching Alton back in the first scrum and played it tight in the first few minutes as Alton struggled to escape their own half. As Alton looked to escape, a clever kick bobbled its way toward the touchline and escaped the despairing grasp of Fin Brown as the Counts camped down on the visitor’s line. However a couple of penalty indiscretions by Counts provided some welcome early relief and Alton started to gain some confidence and ball possession.
Now it was Alton turn to mount their first attack – a surging Caleb Wolfreys run, Tom Smethurst pass in midfield out the back of his hand, high kick by Joe Gwyther and Alex Toft regained the bouncing ball but his pass to Ed Simmons was probably slightly forward and the centre could not hold on.
However Alton maintained the pressure with good set pieces and after a neat link up in midfield, the Counts scramble defensive tackling was ineffectual and with some defenders expecting an offload, Gwyther kept the ball and forced himself over the line from 15 metres out to celebrate his birthday with Alton’s first try of the season. 9 minutes played, 5-0 to Alton.
The Alton backs were never able to punch holes in midfield, but there were promising signs with Gwyther spraying long passes out wide, but the wingers Toft and Ollie Burden were quickly closed down at every opportunity
A long aimless Counts kick went into the Alton dead ball area and Brown duly touched won. A rugby law change, which came as a surprise to many in the crowd, meant that Gwyther was forced to drop kick from his own line rather than the 22-metre line. Alton failed to regain possession, were instantly under pressure and Counts quickly strode forward to level the scores in the right corner in the 19th minute. The merits of the rule changes were discussed at length, at least among the travelling fans.
The Counts backs were now starting to create spaces, mostly in central areas where the outside centre repeatedly challenged the Alton defensive line, and eventually the spaces began to open up and the Counts fly half strode through largely unopposed to score under the Alton posts. 12-5 to Counts.
Alton struggled to dominate territory for a concerted period and whenever they did approach the hosts line, pressure was normally relieved by the Counts fly half who had a good kicking game as well as taking the running option when the situation dictated.
Alton were creating spaces though at this time, and Counts were feeling some pressure with several penalties in a row, and from one of these Gwyther successfully kicked a penalty after Counts were offside at a defensive lineout. 12-8 at half time and Alton were in the game.
Counts started the 2nd half with an aerial bombardment of the Alton defence. Fin Brown was replaced by Michael Robson and the Alton defensive line held strong. With an Alton scrum on their own 5 metre line, the Counts pack increased the pressure. After a couple of resets, Alton won the ball but it squirted away from George Pantrey’s grasp and the Counts scrum half nipped in to increase the lead. It was to prove to be a pivotal score as Alton were now forced to chase the game.
Burden, now moved to full back, for the first time had an opportunity to show his electric pace and scythed through the Counts midfield but with supporting players available, the pass was forward and not collected.
Alton were on top at this stage, and looked particularly threatening in loose play, but the occasional frustrating knock on enabled Counts to relieve pressure. The understanding and interplay between backs and forwards was reminiscent of previous seasons and a score at this stage would have made for a tense ending, but again another wide Gwyther pass failed to be collected and the Counts defence stood strong.
Players from both teams were feeling the intensity of a competitive game at this stage. With a few minutes left, Alton were penalised for holding on in what was to prove to be their last meaningful attack and that finally seem to knock the visitor’s spirit once and for all.
Counts were in no mood to let the game die out though with a whimper and the Counts scrum half created one try and then scored his 2nd try for the bonus point win, to provide a final result of 33-8 which did seem rather flattering to the hosts based on the balance of play
As for Alton, they should draw confidence that they can compete at this level and if some passes had gone to hand in that final 25 minutes, the score could have been quite different.
Next week, local familiar rivals Petersfield will be Alton’s next opponents at Anstey, so please come along and lend them your support.