SOUTHAMPTON 0, ALTON 22

THIS was not a great exhibition of free-flowing rugby for the neutral viewer, but Alton showed what can be achieved with commitment and application, particularly when events conspire against you.

Alton had played only one Hampshire 2 fixture since November 5 and the rustiness showed, with the visitors not helped by a somewhat different team make-up and structure.

They welcomed back Alex Masters and Josh Smith, but were only able to field a squad of 16. The 2nd XV had a Merit Table match against Ventnor and the decision had been made for Alton to field two sides.

Neither side could impose themselves for 30 minutes, both passing inaccurately and too forcefully, and if the pass did reach the receiver it was knocked on.

Alton did dominate in two areas – defence and tight scrummaging, with the front row of Nick Stoffel, Luke Parratt and James Rowe in total command, ably supported by the second row of Tom Smethurst and skipper Adam Hoxey.

Southampton spent most of this time encamped in the opposing half, but never looked like scoring.

Alton eventually broke out and made their way to the 22-metre line. An excellent scrum followed, but again careless handling let them down.

Awarded a free-kick, Alton elected to scrum again and Ed Thomas set his backs in motion. A score seemed inevitable, but the last pass was adjudged to be forward.

Eventually, though, Alton’s pressure was rewarded. Southampton were caught offside 25 metres out and stand-off Joe Gwyther slotted over the penalty.

The first try came at a good time, right on half-time. Alton managed a good thrusting move, with both backs and forwards involved, and although winger Ed Lowman was tackled just short of the line, he stretched to his full height to touch down. Gwyther made the conversion look easy and Alton took a 10-0 lead into the break.

The second half began badly for Alton. Hooker Luke Parratt and second row Tom Smethurst went for the same player and a bad clash of heads led to both departing for A&E.

With the only replacement slotting in at hooker, it seemed that Alton’s previously dominant scrum would suffer, but on restarting with a scrummage Southampton found themselves in a higher reverse gear than before

Fifteen minutes into the half, Gwyther put a sublime chip into the path of right-wing George Trantham who needed no second invitation to muscle his way over in the corner.

The conversion was missed and for the next half-hour Alton were kept pinned in their own half by an improved Southampton.

But thanks to some excellent over-the-ball work by back-rowers Rhys Jenkins and Matt Forsyth, and excellent defence by full-back Fran Williams, the home team were denied.

Eventually, Alton broke the siege and centre Dave Shepherd finished off a good passing move, choosing a fine line to touch down under the posts and make Gwyther’s conversion relatively easy.

Alton, still well placed for a promotion push, are home to Locksheath Pumas this Saturday (ko 2.15pm at Anstey Park).