ALTON 11, ALRESFORD 15

ALRESFORD won a physical and combative local derby at Anstey Park to maintain second place in Hampshire 2.

But it was close and Alton will feel it might have gone the other way if they had not been starved of competitive action by opponents conceding fixtures two weeks running.

Alton met Alresford last September in the Hampshire Plate when they were on the end of a 43-0 drubbing. This time, the result was in doubt until the final whistle.

Alresford were missing some regulars, but on a muddy pitch, with all-enveloping mist and drizzle in the air, they started strongly, pinning Alton in their own 22.

When Alton did break out, they had a try disallowed for a second movement and were then only denied a score by James Boon’s superb tackle.

On the half-hour mark, Alresford had a man sent to the sin-bin, but rallied with some good defensive hits led by man mountain Shaun Memory.

Pete Rogers then scored the first try of the game, but Alresford’s lead lasted just three minutes. Alton attacked straight from the restart and winger Ed Lowman went over for a fine try in the corner.

Alton followed up with a 30-metre penalty from Cameron Hamer, making his first league appearance, his kick made easier by the visitors bring marched back 10 metres for protesting the decision.

Alresford trailed 5-8 at the interval, but, restored to 15 men and with the imposing figure of replacement Billy Lovegrove in the backs, were ready to give as good as they got in a bruising second half.

Alton were unlucky when Hamer’s penalty kick hit the upright. Meanwhile, in the deepening gloom and more persistent rain, the spectators were finding it difficult to tell the mud-splattered players apart.

A frustrated Alton then went down to 14 after a yellow card and their pack, smaller both in numbers and size, conceded a penalty try and Bertie Watley’s conversion gave Alresford a 12-8 lead.

This fired up Alton and only another try-saving tackle kept Alresford’s lead intact. The visitors now found themselves under immense pressure, but were able to regroup and defend their line.

‘Handbags’ broke out in the 74th minute, but order was quickly restored by players and coaches. Soon after, Hamer, Alton’s man of the match, kicked a penalty to reduced the gap to one point.

But less than five minutes remaining, and with neither side giving an inch, Alresford were themselves awarded a penalty. Watley landed it from 20 yards and Alresford had a four-point cushion in this tight game.

The last two minutes were played out in Alresford’s 22, but their defensive work and commitment denied Alton. As 80 minutes ticked up, the visitors won a scrum and Shaun Memory gleefully booted the ball into touch.

Alton were consoled by a losing bonus point and remain nicely placed to join the promotion race. They will be away to Southampton when Hampshire 2 resumes on January 7. Alresford will be home to Overton, the unbeaten leaders.