ALTON Rugby Club closed the season with yet another highly successful Juniors Sevens Tournament. Almost 400 youngsters descended on Anstey Park for a day of exciting sevens rugby, played in mostly fine weather.

Teams from the local area and much further afield competed across five age groups (U13-U17) for the Cantoni Cup.

The trophy is in memory of the club’s much-missed former secretary, Paul Cantoni, who died last January. Paul organised the Junior Sevens for 12 of its 20 years. He also managed the club’s highly successful Colts team which this year won the Hampshire League. Many of the team’s younger players are also members of the Alton College team which won the U18 Birch Hampshire Plate in February.

In recognition of Paul’s contribution to the club and the sevens tournament, fund-raising took place for St Michael’s Hospice in Basingstoke and raised the fine sum of £504.

As always, the Alton RFC youngsters did their town proud, especially the U13s who, despite an early start after returning from their successful Bath tour, still came out as winners.

The U17s were pipped at the post in the final by a strong and skilful Racing Lagos team.

The event was a fitting conclusion to an excellent season, with the efforts of Alton’s junior players and volunteers ensuring that everyone involved enjoyed the day.

Anyone interested in giving rugby a try will be welcomed at Anstey Park on Tuesday evenings (from 7pm) for free sessions involving all ages and genders, starting from June 6.

For more details, visit the club website at www.alton-rfc.com