ALDERSHOT & F 5, ALTON 26

AN excellent committed performance by Alton failed to lift them out of the bottom two in Hampshire 2, but must give them hope that they can make up the four points on the team above them, Southsea Nomads.

Back in December, Aldershot & Fleet deservedly recorded their first ever competitive victory at Alton.

Alton needed to avenge that 35-0 defeat, and they set about it directly from the kick-off. Within six minutes they were in front as scrum-half George Pantrey kicked a penalty in front of the posts.

A fired-up Alton drove back at the home side, dominating territory until Aldershot transgressed again and Pantrey kicked the points.

For most of the second quarter, and for the first 20 minutes of the second half, Alton encamped in their opponents’ 22, but some handling errors, mis-communication, and failure to take kicking chances meant no increase in the score. It was also doughty defence by the hosts which kept them out.

Eventually, Aldershot & Fleet broke out and it was their turn to take root on the goal-line. The Alton defence was breached and an unconverted try cut the deficit to 5-6.

Earlier in the season, Alton would have tried to protect this slender lead, usually with the wrong outcome. This time, they went back at Aldershot and re-erected their camp in the home 22.

Again, Aldershot defended their line superbly, but then Alton changed tactics and accepted two penalty opportunities on 33 and 35 minutes, Pantrey nailing both to give his side a 12-5 advantage.

Things changed dramatically in the last five minutes as Alton put in a grandstand finish. The forwards collected the restart from the second penalty and passed the ball back to Pantry who hoisted an immensely high kick which came down on the home 22 line.

Two defenders made a hash of trying to collect the awkward bouncing ball, allowing full-back Michael Robson to burst between them and touch down behind the posts. In the act of his successful conversion, Pantrey pulled a muscle.

With just one minute to go, the large travelling support would have taken a 19-5 win, but Robson had other ideas. Taking a penalty quickly, he broke through the defence with sheer speed and again touched down under the posts, giving centre Oli Fielder the easiest of conversions. The referee immediately blew for time.

Oli Fielder and Karter Wittock, two of Alton’s Colts, made very effective 1st XV debuts in this match and blended well into the team.