Alton Masters lose narrowly to Farnham Vets (0-5)

Alton Masters boasted a strong 22 man squad for their home match against Farnham's Vets, L'Escargots! In conditions loved by all veterans of the game, and hated by all domestic cleaning appliances. Alton started brightly, but it was Farnham who established early dominance of territory and possession, using their well drilled and cohesive forwards to drive into the red bellies defence phase after phase. Some outstanding defence, led by the ever unforgiving captain Kevin Wilson kept the visitors at bay for a good 20 mins, before the relentless hammering away at the red wall of Alton conceded a hard earned try for Farnham. As should be tradition in Vets rugby, the conversion sailed wide. Alton were down 0-5. Half-time saw Alton ring some changes, notably the ex-1st XV duo on Tony Hopkin and Bruce Oliphant reunited in the second row, and Matt Curtis added some additional pace and aggression on the wing. With the change of half came a change of dominance, and it was Alton who seemed to have the measure of their opponents, enjoying the lions share of territory and possession. Andrew Kefford linked well with Tom Willings in the 9-10 partnership, the backs moved Alton up the pitch at a pace and Alton set up camp on the 5 yard line. The forwards kept things tight, as they sensed they now held the upper hand, and drove at the line time and again. Hopkin managed to drive a number of the Farnham players with him over the try line, but was held up, and as Matt Chapman came in to take the ball and dot it down to even the score, the referee deemed a forward pass. The chance was gone! Despite remaining competitive until the final whistle, there was no further score. Both sides had made this an enjoyable and even contest. The two sides meet again at Monkton Lane on the 14th April.