THE annual Sparstoke Cup will be contested at Down Grange on Wednesday, with organisers hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The match between Basingstoke Academy and Sparsholt College is played every year in memory of former ’Stoke colt Tom Aslett and will get under way at 7.30pm.

Aslett, who was just 20, died tragically in July 2007 when the tractor he was driving overturned.

Due to his love of rugby, his family and friends came up with the idea of a match in his memory.

Basingstoke, the club he joined as a six-year-old, and Sparsholt College, where he trained for a career in agriculture, were the obvious choices to field teams.

Both quickly accepted the invitation and the Sparstoke Cup was born.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was chosen to benefit because of their efforts to help Aslett after his accident.

The annual event is organised by Tom’s father Richard Aslett and he is looking forward to another great night at Down Grange.

Last season, Basingstoke won the game 42-0 and just over £14,000 was raised to take the total to over £70,000 from the seven games.

Aslett said: “It is great for the youngsters to play under the floodlights with hopefully a big crowd to cheer them on.”

Admission is by programme, which cost £3 and can be bought on the gate.