WITH an away double header at Petersfield cancelled due to unplayable pitches, Overton seconds travelled to Aldermaston to play a friendly fixture against a neighbouring county club.

Aldermaston have recruited well this season and are aiming to field a regular second team next season.

Previous fixtures against this club have always been a tough encounter and this one was no exception with Overton winning 37-22.

However, it was just what the Laverstoke Park outfit needed with crucial encounters against Andover and Basingstoke in the next few weeks.

Both sides fielded a handful of first team regulars, who played out of position, this only added to a hard game played at pace.

The mixture of experience and youth in Paul Bonds Overton side this season has seen them beat much of their regular competition and they were in no mood to have an easy day in this cross county friendly. Croker, Ackland, Rattray, Cornell and Spinks were a solid front five, dominating scrum time and setting solid platforms for good possession in lineouts with the ever present back row of Shepperd, Mcleod and the athletic youngster Jolly.

Aldermaston had not come to have a light session either. Their forwards were fast and strong and often furious at the break down. Overton front eight had to work extremely hard in both tight and loose to secure any possession in the first half. Overton's backs did not waste it. On a nice pitch and in cold sunshine, running rugby was favoured and Overton's backline of Wade, Cotteral DC, Othman, Wood, Kerr, Meggison made sure Overton always appeared in the ascendancy and led 10-5 at half-time.

The second half saw more of the same. Hard forward battle and champagne running rugby. The changes were rung by both sides. Overton used, among others, Harper, Mackley, Mighty, Clarke, giving some older vets a well-earned rest. Aldermaston also made changes. This kept the game flowing at a real pace and both teams will be suffering the effects after massive defensive efforts.

Both teams scored again but Overton eventually gain the ascendancy through persistent hard tackling and running, rarely wasting well won possession from the hard-working forwards.

Overton ended up 37-22 winners with the try scorers were Chase Rattray, Ryan Cornell, Michael Shepperd, Tom Jolly and Nat Woods, conversions were added by Rory Kerr

Overton this weekend are back in Hampshire Two action as they entertain Alton.