ALTON 16, PETERSFIELD 8 THE Anstey Park faithful had something to cheer about after a very poor league season when Alton beat local rivals Petersfield to lift the inaugural Hampshire Bowl on Saturday. Over 200 spectators saw Alton, who have been relegated from London 3, claim their first county competition in an excellent, open final. Playing down the Anstey slope, Alton signalled their intention to run at the opposition when full-back Alex Ackerley caught a kick-ahead and charged towards the clubhouse end. This heralded a period of Alton pressure and, after having a try disallowed for a forward pass, they put points on the board when the visitors were penalised for killing the ball in a ruck and fly-half David Rowledge slotted the penalty over from in front of the posts. It had swiftly developed into a battle of skilful Petersfield backs against the brawn of the Alton XV, but both sides' play was strewn with errors. Petersfield looked to move the ball quickly from the tackles, rucks and mauls, but the distribution was laboured and, too often, they kicked possession away without finding touch. Nevertheless, it was the London 4 side who scored next when, after 25 minutes, Alton were caught offside in front of their own posts and Neil Arnold kicked the penalty. He otherwise had a poor afternoon with the boot. Some entertaining play was not reflected by the scoreboard. However, five minutes before half-time referee Finnbar Dodd called for a time-out when his radio link to his touch judges failed to operate properly. Soon after, he called a penalty against Petersfield for not releasing in the tackle. Rowledge put it over from in front of the posts, giving Alton a slender 6-3 lead at the break. 'Field paid the price for the sin-binning of influential full-back Derek Eldridge ('cynically' handling the ball at a ruck) after only four minutes of the second half. Even so, Arnold missed narrowly with a long- range penalty before Alton made the extra man count, winger Jason Rees finding ample space to counter-attack and score an opportunist try that was converted by Rowledge. Petersfield returned to the attack when Eldridge rejoined the ranks and an expensive miss followed from Arnold, the penalty being awarded on the 22 almost in front of the posts. But five minutes later, Petersfield scored a well-deserved try. A drive for the line was held up, but after a five-metre scrum and a quickly taken free-kick, James Flett scampered round the Alton defence for a fine try. Alton replied with a good handling move from the restart and were awarded a penalty in an attacking position. Back chat against the call resulted in the penalty being moved forward 10 metres, well within the range of Rowledge who duly obliged. Petersfield's wayward kicking continued as Flett, who had missed converting his own try, hit the post with a penalty that should have been straightforward. By now, Petersfield were in the ascendancy, but their centres could not make inroads into a solid defence. The Alton pack's fitness was to the fore against a visibly tiring 'Field, but they could not get their hands on the ball. The only time they did achieve it was illegally in a ruck and Rees sat out the remaining eight minutes in the sin-bin. But it had been largely a sporting final. At the final whistle, the Alton players, supporters and officials duly celebrated, but offered thanks and commiserations to their opponents after a close-fought and enjoyable game. Nigel Atkinson, managing director of Gales Breweries, made the presentations and Alton captain Kevin Wilson, a former Petersfield skipper, accepted the handsome trophy. The Men of the Match, selected by the opposing club presidents, were James Flett for Petersfield and David Rowledge for Alton. This Saturday, Alton are away to Andover in their last league match. The week after, a party of 32 will leave on a tour to Slovenia. Good news for Petersfield is that, bar something unforeseen emanating from Twickenham, they will be playing London division rugby next season, with Trojans joining the league from Hampshire, Old Tiffinians from Surrey and a third place decided between London Cornish and Sandown. Old Emanuel, Romsey and Southampton all face the drop.
