ALDERSHOT & F 14, ALTON 75

ALTON recorded their biggest league win for five seasons in a complete turnaround of form from last week when they suffered a heavy Hampshire Plate defeat at Alresford.

In this Hampshire 2 opener at Aldershot Park, it took Alton just two minutes to get points on the board. The forwards drove from a lineout 20 metres out and Luke Parratt emerged from under a pile of bodies, giving Joe Gwyther an early opportunity to practice his kicking skills; 7-0.

The visitors maintained a cohesive, hard-running style and Aldershot & Fleet visibly wilted under pressure. The Alton backs, having travelled the length of the field, mishandled, but Aldershot transgressed in the resulting scrum. Opting for another scrum, Alton drove for the posts, prop Nick Stoffel touched down and Gwyther kicked an easy conversion.

A&F’s cause was not helped when their hooker was sin-binned. Alton scored twice in quick succession. Number 8 Tom Willis bullocked his way over and then second row Chris Gregory scored the bonus-point try. Gwyther converted both and Alton led 28-0.

The kick-off did not carry 10 metres and Alton again took control from the scrum, centre David Shepherd eventually scoring the first try of the afternoon by a back. Gwyther added the extras.

Aldershot at last began to find their feet, only to ship more points when flanker Rob Askew touched down after a good lineout take by Willis. Gwyther missed for the first time and Alton took a 40-0 lead into the second half.

An early converted try for Aldershot only galvanised Alton. Parratt was brought down just short and the ball was recycled to winger Ed Lowman who scored wide out. Gwyther kicked a difficult conversion and, thereafter, there was no containing the visitors.

Further tries followed for Willis and man-of-the-match Askew and A&F only scored again when Alton were reduced to 14 after a high tackle.

The two Toms, Smethurst and Willis, completed the scoring as Alton took their points tally to a handsome 75.

Southampton, who were trounced 64-14 by Locksheath Pumas in their first game, visit Alton this Saturday (ko 3pm at Anstey Park).