EASTLEIGH received the tough game they expected against Battersea Ironsides after a bright and early start on an artificial surface.

The London Three South-West match was switched from the second-placed club’s home ground at Garratt Green to Rosslyn Park with an 11am kick-off.

The opening stages were evenly contested with the 4G pitch allowing for fast flowing rugby and the home side opened the scoring when they found a gap in the Eastleigh defence and dotted down for a 7-0 lead.

But Eastleigh looked comfortable with the late arrangements and were soon level, a cross field kick from Phil Baldwin gathered by Adam Gallagher to score on the right wing, with Baldwin making the conversion.

Eastleigh found the lineout was working effectively at the beginning of the second half, and a driving maul on the five-metre line was grounded by Jamie Richards to put them in 14-7 in front.

But a series of pick-and-goes by the Battersea forwards opened a hole in the Eastleigh defence for the flanker to score to level once more.

Battersea then began to play a much more free-flowing game and the Hampshire side found themselves on the back foot as Ironsides crossed the line again.

Eastleigh pushed hard for another score but were found wanting by the hard- working Battersea side, who produced another two tries for a 33-14 victory.

Eastleigh’s man of the match was Ruari Andrews who played 60 minutes at prop following an injury to Nic Blake.

New Milton & District had plenty of first-half possession at Farnham RFC but had to wait until the final minutes before picking up a consolation try.

Fourth-placed Farnham ran in six tries in the 38-7 victory, leaving Milton second from bottom and nine points adrift of Trojans who also have a game in hand.

Experienced back row Brendan Treacey touched down for New Milton and the dependable Dalton Thomas converted.

Trojans’ home clash against Old Tonbridgians fell foul of the weather while newly-promoted US Portsmouth were beaten 26-9 at Old Mid-Whitgiftian.