OVERTON 29, ALTON 23

THE previous two games between these sides were won by small margins – six and two points – and this encounter was no exception, other than it was Overton’s turn to win.

Alton’s final Hampshire 2 match proved competitive, with two committed teams giving little quarter, as later witnessed by two cards being shown.

With only six minutes gone, Overton scored a converted try after a deft kick over the Alton backs. This stung Alton into action and Alex Hayward and Dave Shepherd both made good runs, but the visitors’ ball retention let them down.

A clean lineout catch led to Overton’s second try before Alton worked a good lineout move themselves and the pack drove over the line, with livewire Luke Parratt claiming the try.

For 20 minutes, the teams virtually cancelled each other out in midfield. But on the stroke of half-time, Alton were awarded another penalty and, learning from their earlier success, set up the lineout, caught and drove, and this time skipper John Happel was credited with the touch-down. The conversion was again missed.

Alton had the ideal start to the second half when the home team were caught offside at a lineout and Simon Ford kicked his side into a 13-12 lead.

Ten minutes in, however, tempers boiled over and yellow and red cards turned the game into 14-a-side.

Alton then appeared to take a firm grip on the game when, from a lineout, scrum-half Mark Crowther skilfully timed his pass to release centre Adam Hoxey who outran defenders to score from 30 metres out. Ford was unlucky to hit the post with his conversion attempt, but Alton led 18-12 and now they had a numerical superiority.

But Alton blew it. Overton reduced the deficit with an unconverted try and soon Alton’s defence was breached again, the converted try putting the home side 24-18 ahead.

Back came Alton with yet another catch-and-drive, Ian Thorn completing the move for an unconverted try. Going into injury time, Alton still had a chance at 23-24.

They committed everything to attack, only for Overton to break free and score their fifth try, both teams picking up bonus points.

It’s been a season of transition for Alton following relegation from Hampshire 1 and they finish mid-table with a respectable record of played 18, won 9, drawn 1, lost 8.