Eastleigh put a huge dent in Andover’s aim to claim the London 3 South-West title when they defeated them 22-17 at Bishopstoke Road.

The home side looked more like the team that contested the top spots during the first half of the season and are still targeting a top-three finish.

Captain and Number 8 Paul Fudio got his side in front when he went over the line soon after kick-off.

Shortly before half-time, Andover’s full back was yellow carded and Eastleigh wing Jack Curtis crossed from a penalty line-out for a 10-0 half-time lead.

Eastleigh registered their third try on 45 minutes when wing Adam Gallagher crossed in the corner.

Hooker Stu Mason was given a team yellow card for the persistent infringements and Charlie Waite put three points on the board for the visitors.

With Eastleigh reduced to 14 Andover pushed hard and, following a series of scrums, were awarded a penalty try.

With 20 minutes left Paul Fudio got the ball out wide, broke two tackles and chipped ahead to score the bonus point try in the corner.

Jon Lynch converted from the touch line.

Andover’s pack responded with Simon Preece touching down.

Eastleigh’s head coach Andy Boyes, who is stepping down at the end of the season, said: “With a victory in the last game and Andover beating Old Mid-Whitgiftian, we can still secure third place.”

He added: “On a personal level, it was great to get a win for my last home game as coach.

“I would like to congratulate Andover on their promotion to SW2 and wish them success for next season.”

Andover coach Andy Waite said: “The spirit we showed in a difficult away game epitomises what we are about, but ultimately Eastleigh played very well for the first 50 minutes and we just couldn't get back.

“We are down in one respect, but in the end very proud of how far we’ve come in the past three seasons.”

To go up as champions, Andover must now beat Old Mid-Whitgiftian and hope London Exiles slip up in their last game against New Milton.

New Milton came out on top of a close encounter with relegated Sandown at Ashley Rec – scoring six tries against five from their opponents whose score included two penalty tries.

Alex Everett-Bolter, Chris Conacher and Ryan Morrell each got tries for Milton in the first half and more came from Ben Russell, Lewis Waugh and a second from Conacher after the break.

Morrell kicked ten points.