Four tries from Isle of Wight full back Andy Whyte kept his side clear at the top of Hampshire Division 2, as they defeated bottom side Fleet 35-15 to stay two points ahead of the chasing pack.

But they did not have it all their own way and coach Richard Beardsall was relieved to have secured the victory, even if it was late on, mainly through the Ventnor cricketer's efforts where he was "superb."

"It we can play that badly and still score 35 then someone up there is looking out for us because it was not until the second half that we could put any air between us," he said. "We even trailed them 12-10 at one stage, so we cannot say we had it easy."

Veteran prop Dave Metcalfe added the other try of the five scored, while there was a successful reappearance from scrum-half Alex Augustus, who has returned to the club after a spell with National League side Bracknell.

Fawley avenged their Junior Vase defeat to Lytchett Minster with a bad-tempered 11-7 success in Dorset, which was secured before the interval as the game turned nasty afterwards.

Jeff Plumley went over for the only score that was allowed for the visitors - they had three disallowed - while Lee Haisman posted a couple of penalties to give Andy Headley's side an 11-0 advantage at half time.

But the game turned into a brawl as Lytchett got feisty on being beaten and Fawley conceded a try but no more to make sure the points were bagged.

And Headley was happy. "It could have been a lot more, but we are satisfied enough to win the league game, which is more important," he said.

"However, we have to maintain our discipline, otherwise we are going to get caught out one day by a side with a good kicker and it could cost us dearly sometime."

Fordingbridge picked up a point at Watcombe Bottom as Mark Newton got their sole score in a 10-10 draw with Ventnor, while Alresford triumphed 12-7 over Portcastrians to jump into mid-table.

It is the North Hampshire challenge in Division 3 as both Chineham and Kingsclere won their respective games to join forces at the top, having beaten Verwood 19-0 and Paxton Pumas 17-15 respectively.