There were mixed fortunes for the Hampshire participants in the qualifying round of the Powergen Senior Cup.

Basingstoke had a comfortable ride in defeating Harlow while an under-strength Andover slipped out at the first hurdle.

With a number of players missing from what is expected to be their regular line-up when the league season kicks off next week, the All Blacks' discipline was the main culprit in their 16-7 reverse to St Albans.

Leading midway through the second half, a handful of penalties gifted the tie to the visitors after Sam Froggett had crossed for the hosts and Stuart McRae had added the extra points.

There is little way back as the London Three North-West side defended well in the later quarter to stave off any comeback as Andover tried hard with some bursts down the middle of the field.

Basingstoke were satisfied with their 24-0 victory over Harlow that books them a lucrative home tie with rebuilding former giants London Scottish in next week's preliminary round.

Four tries from the youthful Down Grange outfit marked a positive start to Jim Dixon's reign as coach of the relegated London One side, but Director of Rugby John Byatt admitted there could have been more points.

"For our first competitive game, we can have few complaints," he said. "Ten of the players have come through the youth ranks and we have a fairly different-looking side from last season."

Dixon, county flanker Simon Appleby, new Community Development officer Ollie Rogers and Dan Rees, the 17-year-old younger brother of England Under 19 starlet Tom all got on the scoresheet.

A few sides got in their final preparations ahead of the big league kick-off next week but despite the scoreline, Tottonians felt there were many positives to take from their dual run-out with South West Division Two East side Wimborne.

They lost 24-3 in which they conceded two early tries after taking a second minute Paul Goodall penalty lead, but held their own before fading late on.

With the second string also losing 10-5, it did mark a disappointing day results-wise. But new skipper Goodall was satisfied that all the players got a run out and there was certainly a lot of credit ahead of the opening league game with unpredictable Old Blues.

"The forwards played very well but our problem was we lacked patience in the final third and continued to give the ball away when we should have held on and worked towards the line," he said. "Chris Smith, James Angove and Matt Searle all had impressive games."

Havant's return to the National League have been hampered by a lack of meaningful pre-season action, but they hammered Guildford 77-22.

But while full-back Anton Petzer ran in a hat-trick and Steve Claffey kicked all 11 conversions, Director of Rugby, Adam King, was philosophical.

"It was disappointing that so many players in first team contention were missing so close to our first league match, and with the range of tough fixtures ahead it would have been useful to have a full scale run-out," he said.