Alresford 25 – Chineham 27 [ 8th March 2025]
Alresford welcomed Chineham to the Arlebury on a glorious March afternoon for our penultimate home game of the season.
Alresford kicked off the first half with a determination befitting a team finding form in the second half of the season and it was the home team who were first on the board with an unconverted try after10 minutes – 5-0 to Alresford.
And seven minutes later, a superb team move linking passes between backs and forwards resulted in our second try; again unconverted, but the lead increased to 10-0.
But Chineham are fourth in the table for a reason and responded with their first try, again unconverted – 10-5.
Back came the home team with their third try, with the resulting conversion making the score 17-5, which remained the score at halftime.
Chineham kicked off the second half with renewed determination, but if was Alresford who scored the first points, with a penalty increasing the score to 20-5.
But the away team were starting to find their groove and two unconverted tries in relatively quick succession reduced our lead to 20-15.
And a further try from the away team soon brought the scores level at 20-20.
But our resilience continues to be a positive factor in this season, and a fourth, bonus point try made the score 25-20.
The resulting missed conversion would sadly prove crucial as, with practically the last play of the game, Chineham scored the final try of the afternoon, and with the resulting conversion, made the score at full time;
Alresford 25 – Chineham 27.
A bitterly disappointing result given the quality of our play for a majority of the match. We can be proud of the try bonus point, but is the measure of the distance we have come this season is that we will view this as four points lost, and a clear indication that we definitely have the ability to compete and win at the top end of the league. With practice and a desire to work on that which didn’t work this afternoon, with an increased level of self belief and patience at the right moments, we have shown where we can be, as opposed to where we are, and this should be our viewpoint as we head towards the denouement of the season.
We thank Chineham and wish them well for the rest of the season.
