Final match of a tough season, with a superb team performance that lays the foundation for next season.
Alresford travelled to Havant on a warm, breezy afternoon for our final game of the season.
Alresford kicked off the first half with both sides trying to gain the upper hand. However, it was the home team who scored first after 14 minutes. The conversion was charged down, 5-0 to Havant.
Havant’s second try followed 10 minutes later, which duly converted, made the score 12-0 to the home team.
However, Alresford continued to cause problems and were awarded a penalty which was slotted over – 12-3.
But the home team came back with the final score of the half, a converted try making the score at the break;
Havant 19 – Alresford 3
Havant kicked off the second half searching for a bonus point try which arrived shortly after – a missed conversion and the score increased to 24-3. Another unconverted try soon followed; 29-3 and an uncomfortable afternoon looked possible.
However, as we have learned over the season, never doubt the spirit and will of this Alresford team who refused to give up and continued to press. Our first try of the afternoon was scored after some immense pressure from our forwards, which although unconverted, made the score 29-8 to Havant.
The home team, now confirmed as champions, responded with a converted try of their own, 36-8.
But yet again, back came the away side – relentless pressure resulting in our second try – the conversion bringing us up to 36-15.
And a much deserved third try followed shortly after – although unconverted, the gap closed to 36-20.
But it was the home team who scored the final points of the afternoon with an unconverted try making the score at full time;
Havant 3’s 41 – Alresford 20
That scoreline will not tell the full story of how much we troubled the home team throughout the afternoon and made them work for every single point. Combine this with the fact that at the end, we were near their line searching for a losing bonus point try against the top team in our league and we should be rightfully proud of a superb team performance which hopefully lays the foundation for a more successful campaign next season.
It has been an honour and a privilege to follow the boys this season and I hope that my match reports have reflected this.
Our thanks to Havant, and our best wishes to them in Counties 2 next season.