IF SOUTHAMPTON are relegated back to Hampshire One for next season, it will not be without a fight - as they proved in a superb 14-10 away victory over KCS Old Boys.

A stunning performance that owed much to their defence saw them pull back a 10-0 deficit through a Julian Robins try and a penalty try awarded when Dave Ward was tripped on his way to pick up Tony Cador's grubber kick

Without skipper Marcus Coffin or fellow prop Wayne Allen, it looked an arduous afternoon for Saints but turned out far from it as they won away for the first time this season.

Stand-in skipper Cador could not praise his side enough, particularly the pack and the effort that went into repelling the KCS onslaught. "We turned around at 10-7 down knowing we were going to win. That was all about confidence and while it has been in short supply lately, we got what we deserved here," he said.

Romsey are already down. They succumbed meekly to a thumping 89-6 home reverse to promotion chasing Old Reigatian.

A horrific incident marred an otherwise free-flowing and entertaining game as Tottonians lost further ground on the leading pack, beaten 29-38 by lowly London Irish Amateur.

The club plan to investigate after prop Matt Searle had a chunk of his ear apparently bitten off by an opponent.

Mike Green ran in twice for the hosts but a second half revival was not enough.

Winchester moved back into third after beating in-form Weybridge Vandals 29-7 in a game that lasted nearly two hours!

Prop Russell Churcher claimed a rare score to put Winchester on their way as they helped themselves to three others in a fine win.

A defeat, two players sent off and a controversial penalty try hammered a nail into the London Division 2 relegation coffin of Gosport & Fareham as they went down 20-15 to fellow strugglers Dartfordians.

The Kent side were awarded the match-winning score in injury time after Gosport turned the scrum 22 metres out. A Gosport player was dismissed shortly afterwards to follow prop Geoff Bell on the sidelines as the day went from bad to worse.

Coach Sean Fanning said: "There is such controversy at the moment and it is making me not want to play rugby union any more."

Portsmouth, however, are back in the hunt for automatic promotion as they beat leaders Barnes 24-22 which leaves them just one point behind the Londoners. The Rugby Camp side trailed 17-5 to three carbon-copy catch and drive tries but struck back with two tries and a penalty before Barnes snatched a late score.

Havant stamped their authority on fifth place with a terrific win at third-placed North Walsham after they ripping into the hosts with a 32-point first-half salvo.