North Midlands’ first-ever meeting with Hampshire at senior level proved forgettable as they were trounced 62-13 in today’s opening match of the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division Two South at Dudley Kingswinford.
Hampshire rattled in 10 tries in a dominant display with centre Richard Buck of Tottonians scoring four of them.Full-back Alex Everett-Bolter enjoyed his debut by scoring a hat-trick of tries.
North Midlands were still in contention at half-time when they trailed 17-3 with a penalty from Luctonians full-back Tom Jones.
But Hampshire had the bonus point wrapped up within two minutes of the second half and it then became something of a procession.
Buck completed his hat-trick soon after and North Midlands only briefly checked Hampshire when Stourbridge hooker Jack Lea, one of 10 newcomers in the squad, was driven over from a maul.
Buck’s fourth try brought up Hampshire’s half century and they added two further tries before North Midlands crossed in injury time for a try that was of no consolation.
North Midlands travel to Rugby Lions to play Warwickshire, who were beaten 43-15 by Somerset today, in their next match on May 13.