THREE games to save themselves - that is Fawley's mission after their weakened side were beaten by Eastleigh in a game the Watersiders admitted was the most important of their season.

A hat-trick from veteran Joe Butler led the visitors to the 32-15 win that keeps their slim promotion hopes alive while the defeat was not catastrophic for Lee Haisman's outfit, given Aldershot & Fleet's celebratory humiliation of Ventnor 70-0 that clinched their promotion.

While Butler got his name on the scoresheet, it was a true team effort from Eastleigh, with lock Russ Smith to the fore in the line-out, and it allowed the back division the chance to exploit the hosts.

Eastleigh used the wind well in the first half that opened up a commanding lead, but Fawley pulled back well with tries from veteran pair Jeff Plumley and Brian Grist to cut the arrears. But Martin Kirby's late score from Pete Noonan's change in direction clinched the win.

Paul Taylor also crossed for the visitors in the first half in a win which leaves them still four points shy of Ellingham & Ringwood, who weighed into relegation-doomed Lytchett Minster 46-5 that all but mathematically sees the Dorset men down.

Fordingbridge did their survival chances the power of good with a superb 23-3 win over free-scoring Chineham, thanks to tries from Steve and Dan Brown, while Mat Norton was on song with the boot to the tune of 13 points.

Paxton Pumas are back in the frame for promotion from Hampshire Three as they overcame Verwood 25-13 to move back into second behind Kingsclere, who beat rivals East Dorset in the top-of-the-table clash 15-9.

Man-of-the-match Rob Woodford was among the three try scorers as the game was won late on, coach Cliff Moorhouse capitalising on brazen Verwood attacking play to steal in for his side.

Chris Goldsworthy scored Pumas' first before the break that took them into an 8-6 lead against the conditions, which they used well in position and play to move within touching distance of Hampshire Two for the first time in their history.