ALTON Vets 0, Farnham Vets 36. It was a real grassroots rugby day as these local veterans sides did battle in the Anstey Park mud.

The lunchtime game was an appetiser for the Six Nations kick-off and Farnham skipper Gavin Baker had a massive squad of 31 to juggle with.

The cloying mud forced a pace which suited most of the players as stalwarts of both clubs set out to roll back the years.

Andy Mortimore, Keith Harding and Barney Hart were the foundation of the Farnham scrum from years ago and perhaps their chemistry made the difference as the visitors racked up the tries, leading 26-0 at the interval and adding a further 10 points in the second half when playing up the slope.

* Farnham 1st XV reached the regional semi-finals of the National Senior Vase without a shot being fired on Saturday. Harlow conceded the tie due to a lack of front-row forwards and Farnham now travel to Hitchin on February 25. Hitchin are currently sixth in London 3NW.

This Saturday (Feb 11), Farnham host unbeaten Eastleigh in a match that is likely to decide the London 3 South-West championship. Farnham head the table by a single point, despite suffering their only defeat of the season to Eastleigh in October. Old Cranleighans are a further 11 points back in third place.

* Petersfield’s Hampshire Plate home semi-final against Overton was postponed on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.

Promotion contenders ’Field resume their Hampshire 1 campaign with a home match against Ellingham & Ringwood.

Alton, third in Hampshire 2, are away to Overton.