Farnborough 5pts, Alton 59pts

ALTON bounced back from their sole defeat of the season just before Christmas by romping to a thumping win at Farnborough to get the new year off to a perfect start.

Because their home game against Alresford just before the festive break was postponed following heavy rain, Alton Silverbacks have slipped to second place in the Hampshire Premiership and are three points behind Petersfield, who have played one game more than Alton.

But Alton gave themselves the best possible start to the year when, within two minutes of the kick-off, a good interlocking move released centre Cameron Wicks to score under the posts. He converted his own try for a 7-0 lead. And Alton quickly realised that the home side’s defence was maybe not as good as it should have been and within four minutes added to their points total when Bren Sumner followed up a kick ahead from halfway to add a second try which Wicks converted to double the lead.

Farnborough began to defend more stoically, and it took until the 27th minute for Alton to score again when it became the forwards’ turn. A lineout followed a couple of good flowing moves. The throw in was cleanly caught and the pack rumbled in. Flanker Jez Powell was credited with the try which Wicks duly converted for a 21-0 lead.

The Silverbacks’ tails were up again as No8 Matt Selstrom touched down for the bonus point try following more good passing play. Wicks took the score to 28-0.

Sellstrom was involved in the next score just on half-time when his bullocking charge released the backs, winger Lewis Ayres-Jones finishing the move and Wicks adding his fifth successive conversion for a 35-0 lead.

Alton began the second half in the same vein when the home side kicked ahead, as full-back Daniel Androuliakos picked it up, dodged defender after defender with his mazy running, to score a fine individual try.

Five minutes later, replacement Michael Robson kicked ahead with his first touch of the ball, the bounce favoured him, and he touched down behind the posts to give Wicks the easiest of conversions.

Farnborough dominated the next quarter of an hour and following persistent forward pressure were rewarded on 65 minutes with a well-earned try.

But the rest of the match belonged to Alton. Wicks, on 73 minutes, broke out of his own half and sold a couple of outrageous dummies before releasing the other backs. Androuliakos completed the move and the lead was 52-5.

The Silverbacks had one more try in them, Ayres-Jones finishing off a back move to enable Wicks to kick his seventh conversion and take his personal points tally to 19.

Tomorrow, Alton Silverbacks will welcome Eastleigh seconds to Anstey Park as they look to keep the pressure on Petersfield (kick-off 2pm).