Romsey squeezed home 8-5 in their Hampshire League 1 game at Millbrook to end a run of four consecutive league defeats - but it was an extremely close run thing and would have gone the other way had Millbrook kicked their goals.

Five penalty and one conversion attempt went begging, as Millbrook's makeshift side made a real game of it after early problems.

This prompted the Millbrook skipper, Mike Mulcahy, to comment: "I'm left with mixed feelings; pleased with the performance but disappointed with the result.

"With the team we had out and with all the changes, I'm very pleased with the attitude. Our scrummaging was very good and we really got on top."

Romsey's coach, Brian Musk, was rather more sanguine, contenting himself with: "It was vital to win today. The two points were absolutely vital to kick-start the season again."

Ventnor were front-runners this time last year but they suffered a humiliating 93-0 pounding at Farnborough.

The league leaders took advantage of Ventnor only having 14 men and tackling ineptly before half-time - the hosts scored 15 tries, six of them from Paul Edwards.

Farnborough were further assisted in this by Trojans only managing to draw 17-17 at Guernsey.

"They're the best team we've played this season," said Trojans coach Richard Cheal. "Guernsey were well organised and disciplined, with the best backs we've seen. If they travelled, they'd be up there."

Sandown & Shanklin defeated Hamble at The Fairway thanks to a late penalty, although they did outscore Hamble three tries to two. "We struggled upfront this week but, despite this, still dug in for a win" said Sandown chairman Graham Thomas.

Hamble captain George Winch was pleased with his team's performance, especially the pack. "We outscrummaged them and gained a pushover and a penalty try as reward for this," he said.

New Milton were humiliated at Petersfield, shipping 16 tries as the hosts swept to a 100-0 victory.

New Milton secretary Nick Han-mer could draw few crumbs of comfort from the pounding, saying, "We missed two penalty opportunities early on but our defending and tackling in the backs was dreadful."

Derek Eldridge especially enjoyed himself for Petersfield, scoring six of the tries, and New Milton's misery was compounded by ten of the scores being converted.

Just one Hampshire 3 match survived the weather and this resulted in a 48-12 victory for Kingsclere at Chineham.