Overton 17pts, Alton 74pts

Back in November Alton hosted Overton, scored the first try within two minutes, and eventually ran out winners 41-5.

This time, at Odd Ball Lane, Freefolk, it took them just one minute to open their account. Winger Ryan Bale galloped in from 30 metres after the forwards had set up a great drive from a lineout. Joe Gwyther added the conversion for a quick 7-0 lead.

Four minutes later, Cameron Wicks broke from his own five-metre line and wrecked Overton’s defence, setting up Gwyther to run in for the second try, which he duly converted himself to double the lead.

And scrum-half George Pantry then took one of his trademark quick penalties to touch down for another converted try and suddenly Alton were ahead 21-0.

Overton could have given up at that point, but they regathered themselves and three minutes later put together an excellent move from their own half which allowed their fast winger to touch down out on the left flank and reduce the arrears to 21-5.

Alton’s next two tries came from replacement winger Lewie Jones-Ayres. The first resulted from an Alton backs’ move from within their own half, and it was the first time he had actually touched the ball. For his second, he ran in from within Alton’s half just six minutes later.

Just on half-time Bale added his second, again following excellent running lines and support from his fellow backs, and Gwyther put his kicking boots back on to take the half-time score to 38-5.

Alton were back on the scoreboard immediately after the re-start when Wicks scored an unconverted try, the first of three in a row in 12 minutes. His second came nine minutes later, when he broke free and linked up with Jones-Ayres, who immediately returned the pass to set Wicks free. He completed his hat-trick three minutes later when the forwards won a lineout and set the maul, allowing Pantrey to pass down the line as Wicks came in on an excellent line.

Bale then followed Wicks’ example and collected his own hat-trick try just a minute later, followed by Tony Hopkin, who completed a forward drive with a converted try.

Pantrey finished off Alton’s 12-try day on 65 minutes with another quick penalty.

The rest of the match belonged to Overton who, to their credit, never gave up trying. They attacked the visitors’ defence and were rewarded with two good tries, one of which was converted.

Both Ellingham & Ringwood, in second place, and Farnborough in third, had bonus point wins last weekend, so Alton remain six points clear at the top of Hampshire 1 but their points difference is 316 better than the second-placed side.

Alton entertain Romsey this weekend and will meet Ellingham & Ringwood away on March 30 for what could prove to be a very decisive match.