Eighties, Nineties, Present
The eighties and nineties saw an upsurge in playing strength and results as colts from the successful teams of the late 70's and 80's were fed through.
At this stage we had four senior teams plus a colts team playing every Saturday. It was during this period that that the Club gained a reputation as cup fighters, the first coming in 1982-1983 when as a Junior Merit team we reached our first Hampshire Cup Final, defeating amongst others Basingstoke at home 8-6 and drawing away to Trojans 6-6.
A further three Semi-Finals were contested before we made our first final in 1990-1991, losing to Havant 9-12. Three more finals were to follow all against Basingstoke, the last in 1999-2000 which saw us defeat both Winchester and Havant 'in their own back yards' on the way.
Our first silverware was at Hants Senior Merit Table winners in 1985-1986. Due to a strong fixture list and good results we were one of the original members of London Div 3 SW when the leagues started in 1987-1988. In that first season we were runners up to Purley. We gained promotion the following season to London 2 South, only to be relegated after one season, a further six seasons were to pass before we were again promoted, this time as outright champions having not lost a single game all season.
Three seasons at London 2 South followed but the decline in fortunes has seen us drop out of the London Leagues after 18 years continuous membership.
The passion and spirit at Alton still thrive today and our ambition is as it has always been, and that is to bring success to the Club through the enjoyment and promotion of rugby.
Find out more
