It was a good week for Alton. First, they learned that their appeal against the deduction of two league points for failing to fulfil a fixture had been upheld. Then they produced their best display of the season to comprehensively defeat fourth-placed Chobham.
Chobham kicked a penalty after just eight minutes, but, unlike previously this season Alton did not allow the setback to affect their game plan and they were soon encamped on the visitors' line.
The pressure grew until the inevitable happened and Tony Hopkin forced his way over, David Rowledge adding the conversion.
Chobham came back at Alton, but excellent defence, plus basic errors of judgement by the visitors, kept the lead intact.
Alton eventually broke out and tried their trademark forward penalty drive, only to be held up over the line. When Chobham transgressed again, skipper Rowledge joined his pack and set the same move. This time his added bulk brought the desired result, although Rowledge was unable to convert his own try.
Full-back Sam Law had a chance to run and when he was eventually stopped, Chobham upset the referee by holding on and Rowledge gladly accepted the three points on offer to make it 12-3 at half-time.
Chobham threatened a score early in the second half, but were held up 20 metres out and Alton wrestled the ball free for second row Paul Moran, who must have borrowed Rowledge's spare boots, to put in an immense clearance kick, taking the home team back into the opposition half.
Scrum-half Winston Carter released winger Ben Chant whose kick-ahead was charged down, but flanker Jon Greene collected the ball and, putting a delicate kick over the full-back, chased down the ball to claim a vital try close to the touchline.
Alton had their tails up and good clearances by John Frith and Rowledge kept the pressure on the visitors.
Chobham eventually spread to ball down their back division to score a try far out on the right.
Alton, though, had the last word and a flowing move was only halted when the ball carrier was forced into touch just short of the try-line.
Paul Moran, for a sterling performance in the pack and a display of clearance kicking any back would be proud of, was awarded the Xeretec man of the match champagne.
Alton's survival is now in their own hands. They remain bottom, but are level on points with Vandals and only one point behind Dorking. Of their remaining three games, two are against their fellow strugglers. This Saturday, they have a tough game at Andover who have already won the division.