Alresford 24 – Hook & Odiham 10 [15th February 2025]
Alresford welcomed Hook & Odiham to the Arlebury on a grey, drizzly February afternoon for our second game of February 2025.
It was the away team who kicked off the first half, and it became clear that this would be a physical, attritional afternoon with a large, physical Hook & Odiham keen to ascert forward dominance. However, the second half of this season is increasingly showing a more determined Alresford team who will not be bullied or take a backward step, mixing defensive solidity and and a fluid attacking back line.
This was demonstrated in the first few minutes as Alresford battered the away defence and were rewarded with the award of two penalties, both of which were converted, as we smoothly moved into a 6-0 lead.
However, the away team persevered with their game plan, and duly scored the first try of the afternoon after 21 minutes. The conversion was missed – 6-5 to Alresford.
This sparked another wave of pressure from the home team, who quickly responded with our first try. The resulting conversion made it 13-5.
And the momentum continued to shift in favour of Alresford with another penalty after 28 minutes – 16-5.
Three minutes late, to the delight of an increasingly vociferous home support, a second try was scored, increasing our lead to 21-5.
But the final word of the half went to the away team, who scored their second try, making the score at half time;
Alresford 21 – Hook & Odiham 10.
The second half kicked off and developed into an increasing fractious and ill-disciplined 40 minutes, with neither team willing to back down, or being able to break through the defence of the opposition.
The only points of the half was a penalty for the home team, which was duly slotted over.
Therefore, the referee blew the full time whistle, to make the score;
Alresford 24 – Hook & Odiham 10.
This was a superb, disciplined performance from the entire squad, against an opposition to were prepared to stretch legality at times.
At no point did we allow ourselves to be bullied, and more than held our own, which is adding another dimension to our play; not only do we have a superb pack and mobile, fluid back line, but we now are adding a more streetwise dimension, which bore well for our last four games of the season.
We thank Hook & Odiham and wish them well for the rest of the season.
We now have a bye, with our next fixture on 1st March when we travel to the South Coast to take on Fawley.
As ever, thankyou to all those who came and supported the boys today, and we look forward to seeing you again in the upcoming matches.
