Millbrook took the first point off unbeaten league leaders Guernsey and, but for an unsighted referee, could have broken their own duck in some style.

Millbrook had to settle for a 22-22 draw but skipper Dean Weaver felt decidedly hard done by. His side produced a sterling performance to scare the Channel Islanders, who were taken by surprise by the winless but tenacious Recreation Ground side.

Had the official noticed fly-half Gordon Randall defensively putting the ball down in the in-goal area for a 22-drop out deep into injury time, 'Brook would have upset the form book and lifted themselves out of the bottom two for the first time this season.

As it was, the Guernsey flanker pounced on the loose ball and claimed the score-levelling try, much to the home side's disbelief. The conversion was missed and the spoils were shared but Weaver heartily praised his side.

"It was a brilliant result and it could have been better had that gone our way," he summarised. "But we are off the bottom of the table and have proved that we can raise our game. The spirit in the camp has certainly been lifted."

This result was good news for Isle of Wight, who closed the gap at the top to a single point as they ploughed into Fareham Heathens 39-10, most of the damage coming as the weakened visitors tired in the second half.

Heathens gave the Islanders a lesson in rucking but the hosts still led 10-3 at the break. It was only when full-back Andy White and winger Stu Browne ran in twice for Isle of Wight that the visitors' resistance was broken.

"The score does not really reflect the way we played," said Heathens captain Mark Dunning. "But credit is due to the players who turned out for us considering we went over there missing a number of first-choice regulars."

Trojans made no mistake disposing of winless Fawley - now the only side without a point at the foot of Hampshire One - but coach Pete Surtees admitted that his side are still struggling to put away that final pass.

The result takes them up another place into fifth but the coach still knows there is more to come from his charges. "I was pleased," he said. "It was a convincing win but in an unconvincing style."

Eastleigh were blown away by a wind-assisted New Milton & District first-half showing that shut the hosts out of their game at the Recreation Ground but a solid rearguard gave them some pride.

The game was as good as over when the Foresters roared into a 29-0 interval lead, with Rob Mangles crossing twice, and it took some serious fire from coach Hugh Noonan to revitalise his beleaguered troops. It did the job as Eastleigh, with Phil Campling prominent, pulled their game together and scored two good tries to win the second period 12-3 in a match played on two pitches as a New Milton player received treatment for a dislocated shoulder on the original.

Nomads and Alresford continue to vie for position at the top of Hampshire Division 2 after maintaining their unbeaten starts.

Nomads easily passed bottom-side Kingsclere 31-0 to stretch their winning record to ten games while Alresford knocked down Aldershot & Fleet 20-10.