ALTON 17, ROMSEY 43

ALTON, with several changes in personnel from their last two Hampshire 2 outings, were always going to struggle to find cohesion against top-three side Romsey.

The visitors soon realised this and capitalised on some poor clearance kicking and weak tackling, using their well-drilled and speedy backs to score three unconverted tries in rapid succession.

Alton tried to play a progressive handling game and a move involving most of the team eventually released second row Chris Gregory who went over in the corner: 5-15.

Romsey, however, deployed their back line with increasing success and racked up a 40-5 lead at half-time.

With the result effectively settled, Alton were the more dominant side in the second half. Romsey’s strong defence contained them for 20 minutes until Alex George touched down after an excellent forward drive from a lineout.

Alton set their sights on a losing bonus point and further pressure paid off with a penalty try after a high tackle on Alex George (penalty tries now have automatic conversion).

And Ryan Bale came so close to scoring the bonus-point try in the dying seconds.

• Alton’s 1st & 2nd XVs are without league fixtures this Saturday, but the Masters will be playing local rivals Farnham Veterans (ko 12 noon in Anstey Park).

• On Saturday, November 18, Alton travel to Seaford, East Sussex for their London & SE Junior Vase second-round match.