NOMADS 11, ALTON 34

AFTER two successive defeats in Hampshire 2, Alton got back on track with a convincing win at Southsea on Saturday.

It looked like being a close contest, with Nomads fourth and Alton fifth, but unlike in their two previous outings, Alton were up for it right from the start.

In the words of coaching co-ordinator Steve Jenkins, they were “almost perfect for the first 20 minutes.” He added:?“Nomads are a decent team and we blew them away in that first quarter, to such an extent that they were unable to recover.”

Within five minutes, Alton were awarded a penalty and kicked for touch. From the lineout, the pack secured the ball, scrum-half Ed Thomas fed his stand-off, Joe Gwyther made a lightning break, and flanker Matt Forsyth followed up to score under the posts, leaving a simple conversion for Gwyther.

Alton were equally tenacious in defence, but were deemed to be ‘hanging on’ 25 metres from their own line.

Jon Branston kicked the three points and narrowed the gap to 7-3.

The visitors were soon back in Nomads’ half and another quick feed from Thomas released his backs, the ball moving swiftly out to left wing George Trantham. Despite his comparative lack of weight, Trantham forced his way through, taking two tacklers with him, and went over for an unconverted try.

This inspired others and No 8 Tom Willis dashed 60 metres, well supported by his forwards, but again they were adjudged to be holding on, this time under the home posts.

Alton were not to be denied, though. Thomas wriggled over the line, following a lineout, and with 30 minutes gone, Alton scored their bonus-point try. Willis was rewarded for his unstinting efforts when he finished off another break by Thomas. Gwyther added the extras.

Nomads were not out of the match yet and retaliated with a fine backs’ move, Branston putting Joe Tree over in the corner. Branston slotted another penalty as Alton went over the top and it was 24-11 at half-time, with plenty to play for.

The second half was well-contested, if scrappy at times, and several penalties were awarded against both sides. The referee eventually lost patience and Nomads lost Paul Edwards to the sin-bin.

With a numerical advantage, Alton helped themselves to two further tries, both scored by centre Dave Shepherd. His first followed a scrum 20 metres out which Alton wheeled to give Shepherd the space to scamper over. For his second, he scooped up the ball following a Nomads spill and galloped 40 metres before touching down.

Neither was converted and, in fact, that was the end of the scoring because the referee succumbed to an injury and the game finished on 70 minutes.

The result stands and Alton move above Nomads into fourth place, eight points behind leaders Overton who have reeled off six straight wins.

Alton are next in league action on November 19 when they welcome Kingsclere to Anstey Park (ko 2.30pm).

* Alton RFC were being featured on BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight programme this week.