Fareham’s third team have thrown themselves the proverbial lifeline in their battle to survive an immediate return to the Hampshire League.

Punching above their weight in the far more demanding Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division 2 arena, they had only beaten title chasing Wimborne prior to Southampton University’s Henry Cort visit.

But a 2-0 victory over the Wessex students has rekindled optimism Fareham can wriggle their way out of the bottom three.

The deadlock was broken on the 25 minute mark when some link up play down the right saw Fareham's Alan Shorthouse finish from close range.

This spurred the students into action and goalkeeper Michael Wright had to be at his best to deny several penalty corners.

Fareham countered and youngster Kieran Page was at hand sliding the ball it at the far post past Mead’s outstretched hand.

The result was a disappointment for the university, who had beaten Bournemouth 2-1 in the BUCS Championships three days earlier, with Ashley Sivarajah hitting a late winner.

Josh Hasdell got the university’s opening goal.

Fareham and Trojans are in thrill-a-minute Hockey 5’s indoor action at the Fleming Park Leisure Centre on Saturday.

The local pair are involved in the Southern Counties regional finals and, if successful, will qualify for next month’s National League Division Two South tournament at Eastleigh.

Fareham face Brighton & Hove, Milton Keynes and Trinity Mid-Whitgiftians in their pool, while Trojans will be up against Eastbourne, Tulse Hill & Dulwich and Woking. Play begins at 9.30am, with the final at 5.30pm.

Basingstoke remain second in South Women’s League Division 3B after a Fi Parker brace helped secure a 3-0 win at Fareham.

The losers are finding life in their new environment a lot harder than winning the Hampshire League last season.

Fareham were tested early on, with Rose Evil making some penetrating runs, but it was Tuna Bausor who opened the scoring by converting a Lala Scarborough short corner.

Bausor turned provider as Parker doubled Basingstoke’s lead – an advantage that came under scrutiny as Fareham threw everything forward, forcing several short corners.

Fareham’s Joe Madeley had a shot cleared off the line but Basingstoke reassumed their superiority with Parker’s second goal clinching the visitors’ victory.

Fareham coach Steve Lemon said: “It would have been a different game had we managed to reduce Basingstoke lead to 2-1.

“We started well and overall I am pleased with the performance against more experienced opposition.

“We should be able to draw some confidence from this performance.”

Southampton lost 1-0 to Andover and go into the winter break in third-from-bottom position.

Four promising Fareham teenagers  have been selected by the British Colleges for New Year matches against England, Scotland and Wales Under-18s.  The four youngsters – from left, Cameron Duncan, Jamie Young, Tom Larcombe, and Luke Cornish – were all put through their paces at recent trials at Cannock and will begin squad training soon after Christmas.