Alresford 1s 35 v Gosport & Fareham 2’s 14
26th October 2024
Alresford welcomed Gosport & Fareham 2’s to the Arlebury on, without sounding like a broken record, yet another warm, sunny October day, keen to build momentum after our superb win the previous week.
Alresford kicked off the first half, and it became clear that this would be an attritional afternoon with both teams looking to build ascendancy.
But the home team are now a different proposition after a difficult start to the season and are showing an increasingly confident way of combining both stifling defence with a potent offensive game plan. This was demonstrated very early on, with the first try scored after 3 minutes. Duly converted, the score was Alresford 7 – Gosport & Fareham 2’s 0.
With the away team starting to become fractious as Alresford continued to press, a number of missed opportunities was quickly forgotten as our second converted try of the afternoon was scored just before half time. The referee blew his whistle shortly after, with the score;
Alresford 14 – Gosport & Fareham 2’s 0
Gosport & Fareham kicked off the second half determined to bring themselves back into the game. However, the home team were the first on the scoreboard with their 3rd converted try – 21-0.
But the away team were not going to lie down and duly scored their first converted try shortly after – 21-7.
The fourth, bonus point try for Alresford, awarded by the referee as a penalty try followed soon after – 28-7 to the home team.
Back came Gosport & Fareham with their second converted try, closing the gap to 28 – 14.
However, any nerves were settled in the dying moments as our fifth converted try of the afternoon was scored after some superb build up play.
The referee blew his whistle at the end of a very entertaining afternoon with the final score;
Alresford 35 – Gosport & Fareham 2’s 14
Once again, this was a superb team performance, with backs and forwards linking constantly, a defensive performance that never gave the opposition time to settle, and a ruthless display of attacking which gave us not only the win, but another well deserved try bonus point.
In two weeks, we have 2 victories, 2 try bonus points, 10 tries scored, and only 3 conceded. We are quietly improving week on week, as a new training regime and an improved level of fitness and discipline, are starting to show this Alresford side in the positive light that it so thoroughly deserves. In a league that, with the possibly exception of the top side, is too tight to call, with 4 points separating 2nd and 7th, we have the potential, the quality and the mental resolve to make this a season to remember.
Our thanks to Gosport & Fareham 2’s, and we look forward to the return fixture later this season.
The league now has a bye week, with our next fixture on 9th November when we travel to Hook & Odiham.
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.