Old Mid-Whitgiftian 62pts, Alton 7pts

THIS week it was Alton’s turn to be on the wrong end of 62 points as they were knocked out of the Junior Vase at the quarter-final stage by a side of the standard of two or three leagues above Hampshire 1.

Alton’s players gave everything to the cause but with eight changes from the starting line-up against Farnborough some two weeks ago, including an industrial injury and illness, it was always going to be an uphill task.

And it didn’t help that four of Alton’s squad had been called up by the Hampshire under-20 team for a match on Sunday.

Old Mid-Whitgiftians started the game at full pace and, using their effective backs, had by the end of the first quarter scored five tries, four of which were converted, to open up a big lead.

Alton, though, were finding their way and a good forward effort was rewarded, following a lineout, when No8 Tony Hopkin was driven over for their try of the game, with Aaron Harrington converting.

Old Mid-Whitgiftians scored two more unconverted tries before half-time, to pad the lead at 43-7, and another almost immediately after the restart.

Alton began to take more control with their pick-and-drive game coming to the fore in the second half, enabling them to starve the home backs of possession and limit their scoring to only two more converted tries.

Old Mid-Whitgiftians will now play Reeds Weybridge in the semi-final.

On Saturday, leaders Alton return to Hampshire 1 league action where they face lowly Andover II at Anstey Park (kick-off 2.30pm).