ALTON 13,

ALRESFORD 14

ALTON seem to be specialising in close results this season. Of their four previous Hampshire 2 matches, they had lost one by just one point, and won two by two and seven points.

Some would argue that they should have beaten Alresford by one point last Saturday. Instead, they lost the local rugby derby by that margin.

Alresford came to Anstey Park with a perfect record: 20 points from four games, including four-try bonus points in the three fixtures actually played (the other was a walkover) They had scored 112 points and conceded only 22.

Although Alton and Alresford are only 13 miles apart, this was their first competitive encounter. After knocking on at the kick-off, the resultant scrum showed Alresford’s strength as they pushed Alton off their put-in.

Continuing to harry the home defence, Alresford forced a line-out, Alton were caught offside and full-back Ted Hepenstall converted the penalty into the first points of the match.

Alton responded with an accurate clearance kick by stand-off Simon Ford which was chased down by centre Ed Lowman, his persistence drawing a penalty, but the home side missed the chance to draw level.

Gaining in confidence, Alton continued to harass their opponents, but Alresford broke out to force another penalty and Hepenstall slotted the ball over from the ten-metre line.

Alresford, now with the momentum, strengthened their grip when their back division cut Alton’s defence apart, giving right-wing Connall Cook an easy run-in. The conversion was missed, but now the visitors had a handy 11-0 lead.

Immediately before half-time, Alton got back in contention. From a line-out, the pack drove over and flanker Winston Carter emerged with the ball from the bottom of a pile of bodies. Alresford led 11-5 at the turn-round.

It was a stalemate for 20 minutes of the second half, despite some good touch kicking by Ford and Alton’s efforts at the line-outs.

Then Alton won a penalty 35 metres out – the edge of Ford’s range – but he did not fail, and now it was 8-11. However, Alton gave a penalty back and Hepenstall’s boot restored the six-point cushion.

Alton tried everything to break down their opponents, but eventually, virtually on full time, Alresford were awarded a kickable penalty.

They elected to kick to touch, the ball fell short and the home backs pounced to move it slickly upfield with good accurate passing, finally releasing scrum-half George Trantham who touched down.

Crucially, he was tackled before he could get behind the posts and the tricky conversion was missed, giving Alresford the narrowest of victories.

Alton were left pondering ‘what might have been’, but they should take the positives from coming back from 11 points down, holding the leaders to a one-point win and outscoring them two tries to their one.

Another local derby awaits Alton on November 7 when they travel to Aldershot & Fleet who recorded their first league win of the season last weekend, beating Kingclere 34-3.

Alton RFC hold senior training on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7-9pm) and all are welcome to join in.