RUGBY - Alton finished runners-up in the Hampshire Cup for the fourth time, but gave favourites Basingstoke a fright in an absorbing final at Down Grange. Alton, roared on by their many supporters, left their fight-back just too late. Trailing 14-24 with only five minutes left, Alton narrowed the deficit with a Winston Carter try after a trademark drive by the forwards. But Alton had run out of time and Basingstoke held out to win 24-19.
FOOTBALL – Gary Abbott converted a penalty for the only goal of the game as Aldershot Town ground out three points at Hampton. It was the ace striker's 36th goal of the season and, amazingly, he has now scored in 11 successive league matches. Aldershot go third in the table and hope to go past second-placed Canvey Island when the sides clash at the Rec on Tuesday.
Farnham Town's dismal run in the Combined Counties League continued when they lost 2-0 at home to Merstham.
Liss Athletic beat Bishops Walton 2-1 in the Hampshire Premier League, with Tim Potter and Alan Smith scoring in the closing minutes of the first half. Alton Town, after playing some of their best football of the season to lead 3-1 at the interval, fell apart in the second half and lost 4-5 to local rivals Horndean.
Badshot Lea, aiming for a top-three place in the Surrey Intermediate Premier Div. I, beat Elstead 3-0 in the local derby.
JUNIOR SPORT – Aldershot & District Schools U/15s have reached the final of the Wright Cup after coming through a thrilling penalty shoot-out against South & East Dorset.
Farnham Rugby Club U/15s, meanwhile, are preparing for their Friendship Tour 2000 to Cape Town, now less than two weeks away.
ATHLETICS – Chris Thompson of Aldershot, Farnham & District AC set a record time for the long stage of the South of England road relay championships. His effort helped the AFD team to second place.
Full versions of these stories can be found in The Herald of April 7.