AS was seen last weekend, a good 'small one' will occasionally have a chance against a poor 'big one' in football's FA Cup.
In rugby, these things do not happen very often and Alton were left in a state of awe as all-conquering Richmond extended their record-breaking sequence.
Undefeated in over four years' of league rugby, Richmond extended their run to 48 successive league wins against a spirited but outplayed Alton side.
Alton had the temerity to take the lead after five minutes when Tony Watson kicked a 35-yard penalty, but that only meant that the visitors had grabbed the tiger by the tail.
Richmond immediately replied with a touch-down by Stewart Barlow and there followed a sequence of tries – 13 in all – and conversions that left those watching in no doubt that the team will get promoted yet again.
Richmond showed great sleight of hand, excellent support, awesome running from depth and superb counter-attacking to greatly outscore the visitors.
One try was run from the Richmond dead-ball line to underneath the Alton posts, over 100 metres, passing through several pairs of hands before Andy Greally touched down.
Other try scorers were Laithwaites (3), Head (2), Conway, McSweeney, Leigh and Whiteley (2). Conway converted four of the tries and McLennan five.
Despite having three penalty tries awarded against them and two players yellow-carded, Alton did not just lie down and die as the score might suggest. It was simply that Richmond were unstoppable and their play was a joy to behold.
A late try by flanker Jon Green was scant reward for the effort put in by the visitors.
Despite their 83-8 mauling, Alton are looking forward to the return fixture. But they will need to shorten both the length and width of the pitch to frustrate Richmond's attacking skills.
Guildford visit Anstey Park this Saturday, with Alton attempting to avenge their defeat of a month ago.