A 26-0 interval lead following two fine tries in a minute just before the break suggested that Havant were going to give Winchester a severe hiding in their London League 1 clash.

But the hosts rallied so well that Havant failed to score again and had to settle for a 26-7 victory.

Joint Havant coach, Simon Morgan asserted: "It was a classic game of two halves. I expected us to cut loose in the second-half, but to Winchester's credit, they came back really well."

Winchester veteran, Trevor Griffin, enjoyed his return to action, commenting, "I didn't know how well I would last it but it was fine. It went well for me and it was great to get our only try."

Alton suffered a surprise 15-14 London 2 South defeat at Old Guildfordians. "It was a game where we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory," reflected Alton skipper, David Rowledge.

Basingstoke suffered another shattering defeat in National 3 South, this time being humiliated 43-12 at home by fellow strugglers, Blackheath.

Hampshire's interest in the national knock-out competitions ended with a 16-9 defeat for Fordingbridge against Law Society in their Tetley's Bitter Junior Vase fifth round meeting.

It was a game Fordingbridge could have won because they only went 10-9 down at half-time to a try very much against the run of play.

However, it took good defence from the Hampshire League team to keep Law Society out in the second-half, and the better side probably deserved to go through.