Alton 111pts, Andover II 0pts

This was the third league win this season in which Alton have scored more than 90 points and the second time they have run up a ton – and just like the previous games they were totally dominant from the first whistle.

It only took 90 seconds for Alton to open the scoring when scrum-half Sam Bridger scored a somewhat bizarre try. He passed the ball firmly to his left but it didn’t reach its intended recipient, instead it cannoned off the forehead of a dummy support runner who effectively headed the ball over the goal line. Bridger responded immediately and being behind the runner was able to drop on the ball. The try was converted by Joe Gwyther, his first of 13 successful kicks.

Further tries followed in quick succession and by 14 minutes Alton had their try bonus point. The scorers were Karter Whittock, who picked up a loose ball and scampered over; Bren Sumner, who was set up by a well-controlled scrummage; and Francis Williams, who ran in following a penalty to put Alton ahead 28-0.

It took a further eight minutes before Cameron Wicks finished off a flowing move in the backs. Sumner then collected his second, quickly followed by Ryan Bale as Alton moved out of sight.

The best move of the match came five minutes from half-time when Williams picked up the ball in his own in-goal area, linked up with his fellow backs, who supported each other well, with Sumner finally completing the move for his third try of the afternoon. Unfortunately, Gwyther narrowly missed the conversion, although he made up for it on the stroke of half-time with a long pass which left Oli Fielder totally clear to score, allowing Gwyther to take his tally of successful conversions in the first half to eight out of nine.

Alton’s back division would not have had the freedom to work their magic had the forwards not totally dominated the tight scrummaging and loose play. And they were rewarded following a scrum when they forced their visitors backwards and No8 Tony Hopkin grounded the ball as they drove over the line. Gwyther again converted.

Wicks then demonstrated his soccer skills to put himself clear for his second try of the afternoon, quickly followed by Fielder with his second, and Sumner with two more tries on 55 and 69 minutes, taking his personal tally for the match to five, with Gwyther converting two from three.

Second row and captain Tom Smethurst then sent the whole defence the wrong way to claim another for the forwards while Fielder finished off with two further tries to take his total to four for the match. Gwyther converted two of these to take the final score to 111-0.

The win keeps Alton top of Hampshire 1, one point clear of Ellingham & Ringwood in second and Farnborough in third. But Alton’s points difference is 223 and 291 better respectively and they have a game in hand which they are scheduled to play on Saturday when they visit Southampton at Redbridge Lane in a re-arranged league fixture (kick-off 1pm).