ALTON 37, SOUTHSEA NOMADS 25

ALTON chalked up their first Hampshire 2 win of the season with a gutsy display against Southsea Nomads at Anstey Park.

With Storm Brian blowing straight down the pitch, the Southsea side made the surprising decision to play the first half up the hill with the high wind behind them.

And it was Alton who carved out a decent early lead. After just three minutes, they created space for skipper Adam Hoxey who chose an excellent line of running to clear the defence out of his way and score the opening try.

Not surprisingly, Aaron Harrington’s conversion attempt held up on the wind. This was to be his misfortune all afternoon.

After 10 minutes, Alton doubled their score through scrum-half Mark Crowther who was the grateful recipient of a quick off-load from Ryan Capes, following some good lineout work.

However, Alton relaxed and Nomads worked a quick penalty move to score close enough to the posts for the conversion to be made.

Alton were soon parked back on the visitors’ line, but misdemeanours led to yellow cards for both sides.

Smart approach work by the Alton pack gave second row Tom Smethurst his first try, but just before half-time a dropped pass allowed Nomads to hit back with another converted try and they followed up with a penalty to take a slender 17-15 lead into the break.

Alton had done well to trail by just two points and now, with ‘Brian’ at their backs, they soon recovered the lead, Smethurst claiming his second try off the back of a lineout (20-17).

Alton promptly conceded another soft three points for offside, but Capes replied with a try from a lineout, a department they dominated all match.

Ryan Bale, setting a fine example for a prop, then showed a clean pair of heels and a lovely pop pass released Ross Newman for a try that stretched the lead to 10 points.

Nomads were still not beaten and a two-man charge from their own 22 earned them yet another converted try.

Finally, as the heavens opened, Smethurst widened the gap with his hat-trick try and, after a change of kicker, Mike Robson added the extras, albeit from in front of the posts and wind-assisted.

• Alton visit second-placed Locksheath Pumas this Saturday. Alton 2nd XV, who lost 17-35 to Petersfield III in Solent 4 last weekend, travel to Kingsclere.

• Following their victory over Egham Hollowegians in the RFU Junior Vase last week, Alton have been drawn away to Seaford. The second-round match will be played on November 18.