Alton U14s - Hampshire Champions!

Congratulations to the Alton RFC U14's for securing our 4th successive Hampshire title! And a big thank you to those that came to support today.

A hard fought but well deserved 14-12 victory. Trojans pushed us very hard. What a great game of rugby.

Very well done to you all!

Tries: Josh Law (2)
Conversions: Josh Law, Jonny Maddock

-----------------------------------
With thanks to Sam Law ... a fuller match report:

Alton RFC U14’s set out last Sunday, to try to be the first junior side to complete a very rare quadruple. For more than 40 years no team had won consecutive county titles at junior level. Having posted wins over the past three years, Alton were aiming for their fourth.

They had some impressive people to wish them good luck also. Messages from World Cup winner, Jonny Wilkinson, as well as former Harlequins and British Lion, Ugo Monye and current Red Roses star Danielle Waterman, gave the boys a real boost before they went to warm up for the final.

In their way, at King Edwards School's, Wellington Sports Ground in Eastleigh, were Trojans RFC. Trojans had convincingly beaten Alton’s previous final counterparts New Milton in their semi-final.

The game started at an incredible pace. Alton, losing the toss and kicking off to Trojans, who replied with wave after wave of attack from their group of large forwards. Alton’s defence held tight and after a Trojans mistake, Alton’s forwards got the ball at the scrummage. Lead by props, Adam Hall and Luke Kereti, the much larger Trojans pack was forced backwards; a pattern to be repeated for the majority of the game.

Alton then began to attack in earnest, with good interplay between backs and forwards, marshalled by Fly Half Greg Carter. Alton had in previous weeks been slow to get to breakdowns, or failed to commit enough numbers to secure the ball. However they got it absolutely right in this game. Fast attacking ball was aplenty and only solid tackling and defence from Trojans stopped Alton from scoring.

Ironically the first score came from an error. A routine opposition attack saw Josh Law, step into the Trojans line to grab an intercepted pass. The centre then raced 30m to score directly under the posts. He added a conversation to his try to make it 7-0 to Alton.

Alton’s second try was a carbon copy of their first, again Law reading the Trojans play perfectly, before sprinting half the pitch to again score underneath the posts. This time converted by full back Jonny Maddock. Alton finished the first half again dominant in the scrum and playing some amazing rugby in the process. 14-0.

If Alton thought the match was done and dusted, they were very much mistaken. Rather than continuing with their pretty dominant way of playing from the first half, they sat back a bit. Trojans took full advantage of this and after an Alton mistake, Trojans bust through the Alton defence to score under the posts. 14-7. This was followed up almost immediately with Trojans second try, a well worked move saw them shift the ball down the line, to score in the corner. However, after a lengthy wait to tend to an injured Trojans player, plus a retake of the conversion (both of which were missed), Trojans found themselves two points adrift of Alton entering the final quarter of the match.

This final quarter offered everything that cup final rugby has to offer! Thrilling attacking rugby, amazing defence, supporters gasping and coaches nearly having hear attacks ... plus, last minute heroics. With Alton pushing hard for a 3rd try, Flanker Finlay Hendren thought he had placed the ball over the line after several drives from the forwards, only for the referee to disallow the try. Other chances went begging also. Both Alton wingers, Matt Salisbury and James Richardson had chances to score but the ball either didn’t bounce their way, or the final pass wasn’t given.

With time running out and two points adrift, Trojans mounted one last attack on the Alton line. Several phases and desperate tackles meant Alton had to get their hands on the ball to clinch the game. With time up on the clock, and another phase of play pushing towards the Alton line, Adam Hall, came across the field, to not only tackle the Trojans player, but rip the ball from him too. This act was to end Trojans hope as the final whistle blew.

Alton had secured their forth consecutive county title. Pushed all the way, by a well-coached and determined Trojans side. Final Score 14-12.