Gloucester star Ed Slater was among an excited crowd as in-form Chosen Hill booked their place in the last four of the RFU Senior Vase on Saturday.

The Gloucestershire Premier high-fliers were too strong for visiting Milton Keynes, racing into a 40-point half-time lead and going on to win 59-26.

Gloucester were without a game on Saturday and Slater, a second row, was at Brookfield Road to support Milton Keynes, the club with whom he started his rugby career.

“I had a chat with him after the game,” said Chosen Hill chairman Dan Yeates, “he’s a real nice guy.”

It was a great day for Chosen Hill, of course, who will now host West Norfolk in the semi-finals on Saturday 11th April.

“Once we were so far in front at half-time Milton Keynes were never going to get back into it,” said Yeates. “It was a great occasion, it would be great if we can keep it going and we can go all the way and complete a league and cup double.”

Milton Keynes have been going well in Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier this season but they were unable to match Chosen Hill, who are still unbeaten this season, in that opening 40 minutes.

There’s no let-up for Chosen Hill, however, because West Norfolk are another club who are going very well in their division having won all 16 of their games in London Three Eastern Counties.

They booked their place in the last four with a 19-15 win over Reeds Weybridge, the team that ended Old Cryptians’ run in the RFU Junior Vase at the semi-final stage last season.

Yeates is delighted that Chosen Hill have home advantage against West Norfolk.

“Yes, I’m happy with that,” he said. “I think it’s a three-and-three-quarters hours drive from West Norfolk to Churchdown!”

Old Cryptians, meanwhile, are through to the last four of the RFU Junior Vase again this season after their 46-10 win at Westbury on Saturday and Yeates added: “Old Cryptians called into our clubhouse for about an hour on Saturday evening on their way home.

“It’s great for the area that we’ve got two clubs doing so well and we’re both really supporting each other.”

Chosen Hill, who need two wins from their remaining five league games to be certain of winning the Gloucestershire Premier title, return to league action on Saturday when they entertain Hucclecote.