ALTON 102, NOMADS 0

AS suggested by the massive points tally, Alton played some of their best rugby of the season in overwhelming a spirited Nomads team.

The Southsea side never gave in and were committed throughout, but Alton’s superior team-work relentlessly opened gaps and brought them 16 tries, including four for Tom Willis and a hat-trick for George Trantham. Eleven were converted.

Alton’s performance showed they can yet challenge for the Hampshire 2 title, although they will be hard pushed to overhaul Alresford who lead by three points with a game in hand.

Alton must aim to win their final three matches in this nine-team division if they are to leapfrog Overton, one point above them, and gain promotion back to Hampshire 1.  The local derby at Alresford on April 1 will be their toughest challenge.

Saturday’s game was played at Bordon where the warm weather closely mimicked mid-June. But Alton were already warmed to the task and, within six minutes, No 8 Willis scored his first try, following a line-out. Three minutes later, Rob Askew followed his fellow back row’s example, again from a line-out following a break by Willis from his own 15m line to the Southsea 22m.

Chris Gregory then scampered over and soon scrum-half Mark Crowther got his name on the score-list, giving Alton the fourth-try bonus point after a mere 20 minutes.

Second row Ryan Bale finished off another move and Joe Gwyther added his fifth successive conversion.

By half-time, Alton were 45 points to the good after further tries from Trantham, Gwyther and Willis again, Gwyther missing all three conversion attempts.

From the kick-off, Alton received and passed the ball through the backs, ending up with an immediate try for Francis Williams, this time converted by Gwyther.

Alton rammed home their superiority throughout this half and the tries flowed through Cameron Wicks (an interception), replacement Mike Robson, Willis (2), Trantham (2) and Adam Hoxey.

The final try went to Nick Stoffell who bulldozed his way over the line following an Alton scrum on the 22. Wicks, taking over the kicking duties, converted four of the second-half tries.

Alton entertain Lymington on March 25, make the short trip to Alresford on April 1, and close their campaign at home to Aldershot & Fleet on April 8.