Off and running and with a win under their belts, Tottonians will now be aiming to settle themselves down in London Division Three South-West having sent winless Chobham to a third straight defeat.

But the need for the victory after two losses in their opening contests since claiming the championship trophy season last term cost them the opportunity to tread the Surrey side into the dust.

The changes made in an attempt to foster a more attack-minded team worked a treat, especially in the centres where Chris Smith excelled and teenager Richard Buck, a winger by choice, supported well in unfamiliar territory.

It was all about getting the result for the home side and tries from skipper Miles Northover, with a ten-metre jinking run, fellow front-rower Matt Searle and man-of-the-match Smith, brought their reward in a 22-17 result.

Northover freely admitted it could have been more and that Totts could have used the sweeping second-half wind advantage better but, with two points safely pocketed, he did not mind how the result came.

"We were far the better side," he said, "but the necessity to get the result stopped us playing some better rugby. Now we have a win we can settle down and focus on building upon it."

For the first time in their London League history, Southampton headed back down the M3 and over the Surrey-Hampshire border with a victory, returning from rain-soaked Dorking 5-3 winners.

Winger Dave Ward's second-half try was all that separated the sides following a scoreless first period. The relegated men from Surrey kicked a penalty up the considerable slope just after the interval, only for a good move to allow Ward to force his way over in the corner.

It was not a classic by any means and some eccentric refereeing did not help either side get into their stride, but that did not worry captain Tony Cador.

"Again, our defence did their job superbly and kept Dorking out," he said.

"Considering how poor the conditions were, this is a great victory for us and it will be a strange sensation travelling home from Surrey with that warm victory feeling inside."

The win moves Saints into third place behind Purley John Fisher and Farnham.

Romsey made Petersfield sweat for an hour before the east Hampshire men broke free and buried the struggling Blue and Gold 35-3, running in four tries in the closing quarter.

Simon Coe kicked a penalty for Romsey and they were just 6-3 down at the break, but, as last week, they ran out of gas and were caught in the headlights of a fit and rampant Petersfield onslaught that leaves the visitors alone at the foot of the table.