THE quest for the crown of Hampshire's top club begins in earnest with six of the first round ties in the Hampshire Caffrey's Cup taking place on Sunday.

There are distinct possibilities of a few surprises, especially with some teams fielding less than full-strength teams in an effort to save their players for the important league matches which await in the New Year.

One match likely to see lower league opposition triumph is at Test Park, where Hampshire One promotion candidates Southampton face troubled Alton, a side with just a single point at the foot of London Three South-West.

The city side have lost just twice all season, while the Anstey Park club have barely won a game in this campaign. But that accounts for nothing, according to club veteran Dave Griffiths, who moves from his regular full-back berth to fly-half for the game.

"It should be an interesting game," he said. "Alton's league form appears to be poor. However, the fact that they are two leagues in advance of ourselves could easily outweigh that situation."

Saints are forced to make two positional changes, allowing Martyn Sheridan and Pete James to return, the former shifting captain Tony Cador back to the open flank.

Both Portsmouth and Trojans, who clash at Rugby Camp, are without first choice players for their game; both missing at least six regulars.

Stuart Good, Simon Matthews, James Kirkham and Rob Smith are drafted into the squad, as coach Richard Cheal takes the opportunity to view some squad players for the trip to the high-flying London Two side.

But Cheal, and the Portsmouth director of rugby, Nigel Morgan, are keeping some players back while resting others in view of crucial league matches coming up next week - against US Portsmouth and Tunbridge Wells respectively.

"We will go and compete," said Cheal. "But with it being this time of year and the way this competition is structured, I consider it a chance to see other players in the squad."

In memory of Dan Surtees, tragically killed three weeks ago, there will be a man-of-the-match trophy on offer, which will be presented by the scrum-half's father, Peter. Dan played for Trojans as a colt before joining Portsmouth in the closed season.

Twelve-times Hampshire Cup champions Havant have selected their full first team, barring skipper Joe Duffett, for the visit to Romsey, who are weakened themselves by unavailability.

That includes at scrum-half, where young Graham Lusty has been selected for the Hampshire under-20s match in Kent, so misses the game. His place goes to Nick Creal.

Former Havant favourite Nick Roach returns to the position he enjoyed so much success in at Hooks Lane, reverting to flanker, so Graham Oughton takes the number 12 jersey.

Elsewhere, US Portsmouth could make league advantage count at Fawley, Andover should ease past Farnborough, while high-scoring Petersfield host Jersey, two divisions higher than their hosts but always nervous travellers.

The other two games in the competition - Basingstoke v Winchester and Gosport & Fareham v Tottonians - have been postponed with Winchester and Gosport involved in the Intermediate Cup on Saturday.