Millbrook have done it again - with their weakened ranks and players dropping out like flies on the morning of the game, they have upset the applecart at the top of the table by inflicting a second straight defeat on New Milton & District in Hampshire 1.

In a cat-and-mouse type game where Millbrook had the lead throughout, it was just Simon Coffin's early penalty kick that separated the sides at the end as Ian Copeland grabbed a brace for the hosts before Milton hit back with two of their own.

Dominic Sales replied, which was again followed by a repost from the Foresters towards the end, but Millbrook held out to record a 27-24 win to put themselves sixth in the table - just one point behind third placed Guernsey.

Team manager Alan Day was full of praise for his team, especially the front row, which contained Wayne Hobson, a 46-year-old who had only played for the first XV once before and Jon Kidd, a year younger that Hobson. "Our front row aged 110 today!" joked Day.

Sadly, the match was marred by the sending off of two players, Matt Colein of New Milton for violent conduct and Chris Ings, who, according to Day, was "just trying to separate things but was sent off for coming across and doing so." Millbrook will appeal against the decision.

"Apart from that, it was a brilliant game but we have to get out of these lapses in concentration that are costing us dear too often," added Day.

New Milton's defeat has allowed Romsey and Farnborough, who meet next week, to open up a three-point gap on the rest of the field - three sides on ten points include Guernsey, winners over Sandown & Shanklin 20-12, Fareham Heathens and Milton.

But one side that are certainly not in the promotion shake up and very much in freefall are Hamble, who suffered a 14-try mauling at the hands of hyper-charged leaders Romsey, crashing to an 88-0 reverse.

German international Richard Dollimore scored five tries, while Jason Lockrose and Nick Crosby posted a brace as the Sports Centre outfit ran riot against the beleaguered basement dwellers, whose tenth anniversary season is turning into a nightmare.

It was an all-round effort from the blue and golds, with Adam Trotman and Lockrose exceptional but they wanted to pay tribute to their opponents, who tried hard and prevented the scoreline from tipping over the century.

"Hamble never really looked like scoring," said clubman Gary Banks, "but they defended well and could have wilted against the onslaught."

If Farnborough play like they did against Eastleigh in winning 15-8 at Bishopstoke, then Brian Musk's side could have an easy ride as the third-bottom side ran the North Hampshire men close.

Eastleigh led for an hour when star man David Craddock released Wayne Rawlins in space for the opener and the forwards contained their heavier opponents until two tries in quick succession put the home side behind for the first time.

Seamus Noonan slotted a penalty to reduce the arrears, but they trudged off disappointed at a great chance missed.

A four-point gap has appeared beneath Fawley in second place of Hampshire 2 as the leaders Isle of Wight, now seven matches unbeaten, maintained their grip on the division.

For the third league match running, the Isle of Wight side did not concede a point as Lytchett Minster were well beaten at Wootton. Martin Palmer, who was switched from flanker to the wing midway through the game, crossed twice.

That record did not look under threat at all, and they travel to Fordingbridge next week looking for an incredible fourth game in a row, but Fawley have kept the pressure firmly on Richard Beardsall's side by sneaking past Alresford 18-12.

Ellingham & Ringwood are back to lead the chasing pack on eight points, after they came from behind to beat Ventnor 14-3.