Alresford clinch Division 2 title

Nomads 10, Alresford 17

ALRESFORD completed a remarkable two years by being promoted to Hampshire Division 1 for the first time in their short history last weekend.

Nomads took second place and will join them next season, and both teams were heartened by the news that close rivals Ellingham lost in a close tie against Fordingbridge, putting the league beyond their reach.

The match itself will never be remembered for anything but being the title decider, as it was full of indisclipline from both sides and questionable refereeing decisions.

The first half should have seen Alresford at least three tries to the good, as they used the wind advantage to push Nomads back at every opportunity. The Alresford scrum was making short work of their opposition, but they were unable to convert the pressure into points and several opportunities for pushover tries went begging.

The sides had to settle for a penalty goal each, with Alresford's Tom Willings opening the scoring inside 10 minutes and Nomads levelling 20 minutes later.

Both teams had a player yellow carded in the first half, and that situation was repeated in the second half as the referee tried to maintain order. Alresford were feeling particularly aggrieved by some of the decisions, so for 20 minutes in the second half they rolled up their sleeves and showed why they deserved to play at the next level.

Five minutes after the restart the visitors had Nomads pinned back in their five yard area. Alresford pushed the scrum back over the line and Ralph Weston was on hand to claim the score. Tom Willings obliged with the kick.

Nomads were stretched several times with attacks coming from all directions, but it took a shimmy from Paul Rees 10 minutes later to find the breakthrough.

Alresford's captain took the ball as it was shipped out to the right. Somehow a gap appeared for him just outside the 22 yard area, and he sprinted through to score.

With another successful conversion, the visitors were sailing away with the game. But Nomads made the most of a mistake in the Alresford line-out and the ball was shipped out to James Hardy, who crashed through to score.

Davis scored the conversion from a tricky angle and the last minutes of the match were set up to be a real nail-biter.

Alresford had lost their momentum, but despite a few nervous moments they held on for a famous victory. Their final match is at home to Ellingham next Saturday (17th).

Trojans march on

Nothing has been left to chance in Trojans' push towards promotion from Hampshire Division 1.

They travelled to Sandown & Shanklin overnight, such is their professional attitude towards their goal. And the proof was in the pudding as they produced the result required to seal at least a play-off berth.

Their 32-15 win on the Island was satisfying enough, and Trojans remain second behind Guernsey, who hold a one-point lead.

Sandown opened the scoring but once Tim Zeale responded, there was no stopping the Stoneham Lane side from controlling the game as skipper Russell Clarke ran in a couple of tries.

In Division 2, Fordingbridge came from an almost impossible position to turn over their local rivals Ellingham & Ringwood 19-18 with the final kick of the match.

Facing a strong wind, 'Bridge were trailing 18-5 with just a quarter of the game remaining after the home side had scored two unconverted tries early in the period.

But recycling the ball well, they edged towards the posts and Sean Gorman gave the visitors hope with a crucial score.

With two minutes remaining and Ellingham giving away numerous penalties, centre Nick Mowbray found a way through. This left 17-year-old Mat Norton with the conversion attempt, which he achieved for a famous win.