NEW Inn, the Basingstoke and District Saturday champions, have appealed to the Hampshire FA over a deduction of nine points.

The punishment came from the league's Saturday section committee after New Inn fielded Tim Montague, who had been on general suspension all season.

"We feel the punishment was too severe," said New Inn secretary Andy French, "and perhaps a reduction could still give us a chance of retaining the championship."

Hook 0, Three Barrels 0

This result has made it even tighter at the top of the premier division table, with Labour Club the only beneficiaries.

It was a very tight and even game, according to Hook's Tony Sellwood, who felt his side should have taken three points.

Without Richard Sygrove, the Hook attack lacked height and punch but both Paul Turrell and Colin Rogers had half-chances and Three Barrels' Adrian Hargreaves did well to stop a good effort from Robert Buckland.

Three Barrels danger man Craig Luckens was well held by Chris Mott, although 'keeper Mike Sewell did well to save one of his headers and Mark Stent also went close for them.

This was a game neither side could afford to lose and it keeps both in the running for the title.

Basingstoke Labour Club 10, Hillborne 0

Labour had only 10 men for the opening 10 minutes. Two of their players, Barney Powell and Ross Barnard, were rested to allow them to play in the Sunday Cup final yesterday.

However, against bottom-of-the-table opposition Labour were two goals up before they were at full-strength. Both goals came from Lee Chambers.

Tom Lee made it 3-0 in the 25th minute but Hillborne managed to hold out until the fourth goal came in the 65th minute via Steve Silcox.

Lee scored his second and Stephen Poulter the seventh. Tom Lee and Steve Silcox completed their hat-tricks and a rare goal for Dave Baker brought the score to double figures.

Hillborne will be glad to see the back of Labour Club, as they went down 16-1 when the two met earlier in the season.

Kingsclere 2, AFC Aldermaston 1

Kingsclere, who have been at the bottom of the premier division table for most of the season, need just one point from their remaining three matches to make sure of staying up after this win.

The winners' goals came from Mark Doig and Liam Inglut, with Tom Girling scoring for Aldermaston, whose manager George Johnson was not happy to see an effort from Girling ruled out for offside when he snapped up a back-pass.

Bramley Utd 1, New Inn 5

There were no details of this match but the points keep leaders New Inn four points clear of Hook while they await the decision on their appeal.