ALTON 59, FAWLEY 24

THIS game was switched to the SEME Reservation ground in Bordon as most of Anstey Park was waterlogged, but the venue suited Alton’s style and they finished emphatic winners against Fawley, leapfrogging their opponents into third place in Hampshire 2.

Kicking off with the bright sun behind them, Alton didn’t get the best of starts, missing a penalty and then conceding a converted try with slack tackling.

This woke them up and they were soon pressurising the Fawley defence with excellent support work and passing. Eventually, lock James Rowe found himself in open space and, with one man to beat, sold an outrageous dummy to run in unopposed under the posts, Joe Gwyther adding the two points.

Soon, the Alton forwards were driving on again, recycling the ball several times and working it out to wing Ed Lowman who took his opportunity at express speed. Gwyther’s boot stretched the lead to 14-7.

Alton maintained their dominance and after a fine run from flanker Tom Wills, George Trantham, the other wing, pounced on the loose ball and scampered over.

Fawley retaliated, but were drawn into conceding penalties. Alton took one quickly and the ball was fed to centre Dave Shepherd who scored the bonus-point try just on half-time.

With Gwyther’s conversion, Alton took a 26-7 lead into the second half and, within two minutes, centre Adam Hoxey burst from a melee to touch down, giving Gwyther another easy conversion.

Fawley, to their credit, fought back and after being foiled by a last-ditch tackle, scored an unconverted try in the corner.

Three minutes later, Alton were first to the breakdown on halfway and Lowman ran clear for his second try. Gwyther duly converted and set up the next score with a strong run, beating several defenders before scrum-half Ed Thomas covered 30 metres to finish the move under the posts. Gwyther converted and it was 47-12.

Hoxey dummied into space to claim his second try (converted) before an exchange of handbags reduced both teams to 14. Fawley were awarded the resultant penalty and scored a converted try.

The sides swapped unconverted tries in the last five minutes, full-back Fran Williams scoring far out on the right for Alton and Fawley gaining a losing bonus point just on full time.

An excellent display of committed rugby by Alton who are now within two points of second-placed Alresford and only four behind leaders Overton who suffered a surprise defeat against Southampton last weekend.

Without a league fixture this weekend, Alton visit Overton on February 11 for what could be a season-defining fixture.

Alton’s Super 2s lived up to their name when, with only 14 players, they racked up 62 points without reply against Portsmouth IV.