Hampshire repeated last weeks performance running in another 9 unanswered tries at Down Grange with a 54-0 and either current or former Stoke players scoring a total of 32 points.

With the news coming through that last weeks opponents Dorset and Wilts had withdrawn from the competition then all the hard work done in defeating them would count for nothing, Hampshire knew another solid win was needed to keep them in pole position for the final stages.

Hampshire got off to a dream start and was leading 17-0 after 10 minutes with some powerful forward play and some good support play from the backs. Former Stoke and now Nottingham player David Byett opened the scoring on 3 minutes and doubled his tally on 6 minutes with the again impressive Heasman scoring on 10 and Molyneuz adding one conversion.

For the next 20 minutes Hampshire seemed to take their foot off the gas and allow Buckinghamshire to come back into the game where their full back looked dangerous when allowed space to run with the ball.

Hampshire repelled all that was thrown at them and got back on the score sheet on 35 minutes with a Molyneuz penalty before rounding off the first half when Byett completed his hat trick on 38 minutes and a lead of 25-0.

The start of the second half was almost a repeat of the first with 3 tries being scored in the first 12 minutes. Opening the account was Stokes Buttle on 43 minutes followed on 47 by his wing partner Ofuasia and Buttle again on 52 minutes. Molyneuz and Humberstone each add a conversion and a healthy lead by 44-0.

With changes being made Hampshire continued to play the better rugby and was again rewarded with a try by another Stoke player this time in the form of Appleby to extend the lead to 49-0.

Similar to the first half Hampshire relaxed and their opponents were always willing to run the ball back at them but solid defence kept the clean sheet, whilst Hampshire always looked dangerous when putting phases of play together.

The final score came on 79 minutes when an all forward display of good off-loading before the tackle saw a 70 metre flowing move involving most of the pack finishing with Booth scoring to pass the 50 points barrier and a 54-0 victory.

Buckinghamshire played their part in the match and never gave up and are disappointed not to complete their programme of matches due to their fixture next week being given as a walk over having worked hard to get close to beating Sussex last week.

As for Hampshire this was another all-round team effort with the platform coming from the forwards and the backs taking their chances. It is often difficult to gel a team from different clubs but these players showed a good understanding of each other as well as what was needed as a team.

After coach Ford added “Another good win but it will count for nothing if we don’t finish the job off next week against Sussex. It was nice not to concede any points for the second week running and we now have a very competitive squad that has many positions where players are fighting for places.”