Millbrook 14pts, Alton 40pts

THIS game was hastily rearranged at the last moment because of plumbing issues at Anstey Park, but the Silverbacks were undaunted as they secured their seventh win on the trot to top the Hampshire Premier table.

With Millbrook having lost only once this season and with many changes in the Alton squad, the visitors were a little disjointed at the start as the Millbrook forwards took the game to Alton early on. After conceding a couple of early penalties, the hosts crafted a clever cross-field kick. Unexpectedly on the sodden pitch, the Alton backs were deceived by the high bounce and the Millbrook left wing pounced to give Millbrook an early lead after only three minutes – a try that was subsequently converted from out wide.

Coupled with more Alton errors and indiscretions, the Millbrook lineout was also functioning well and Alton struggled to build any momentum or gain good territory in the early stages.

But Alton’s running game slowly started to function and lock Tom Smethurst burst through the Millbrook defence and offloaded well. Cameron Hamer straightened the line and the effervescent Oliver Burden scored in the corner. Not to be outdone by the Millbrook conversion, Cameron Wicks executed a great conversion of his own to level the scores at 7-7 after ten minutes.

More importantly, Alton had weathered the storm and gained a foothold in the game. The backs were clicking into gear and functioned well all afternoon, Wicks and Hamer creating space out wide with clever switch moves and long passing. Both players also have a kicking option, but any territory gains were repelled by the Millbrook set piece.

Loose play on 24 minutes, however, lead to Ben Burrage picking up the ball near halfway, and the flanker weaved his way left and right superbly to eventually create an opportunity for Ed Pasfield to give Alton the lead in the corner.

The Alton backs had pace to spare against the Millbrook defence, which proved critical to the game.

Burden nearly escaped the clutches of the Millbrook centres, offloaded well to Wicks on 36 minutes and the fly-half kicked toward the Millbrook posts. This time it was the Millbrook defence who failed to read the path of the ball as it veered sharply right, and Hamer touched the ball down unopposed.

But there was still time at the end of the first half for Millbrook to score another try as Alton failed to clear their lines on several occasions, and again the left winger scored to reduce the deficit to just seven points at half time, 21-14.

Alton made forward changes at half time and Jeremy Powell made an instant impression as the Silverbacks started the second half brightly. Fran Williams, at full back, joined the backs and created space for Kyle Bale who carved through the Millbrook defence. As he was shunted over the line, Alton appeared to score but the ball was adjudged to have been held up. But the pressure was immense as Millbrook struggled to clear, and a poor kick was hit straight into the grateful arms of Wicks who ran in to score the bonus-point try.

The gaps were starting to appear now and Pasfield, with a rampaging run, escaped from well inside his own territory to half way, Karter Whittock showed tremendous pace only to be held just short of the line, but the Millbrook defensive line was breached once more as hooker Luke Parratt jinked his way with neat footwork to score under the posts.

Whittock was everywhere now, quick to every breakdown and after ripping the ball on the Millbrook 22, Hamer was released to score again after further deft passing by the Alton backs. In contrast, the Millbrook backs lacked any real penetration and failed to score in the second half as Alton’s defence rarely looked threatened.

So Alton maintained their 100 per cent start to the season as the wily, experienced forwards up front partnered with the youthful back row forwards and skilful backs look a potent force. Also encouraging is the strength in depth in the squad, with players taking their opportunity and not letting the side down when called upon.