Gosport & FAREHAM were stricken in more ways than one at the weekend as they remained firmly entrenched in the relegation zone after going down to mid-table Beckenham 29-12.

But they were far from assisted by their coach getting a puncture less than half-an-hour from the Kent club's ground, leaving them short on preparation despite being given an extra hour to get ready by their kindly hosts.

The frustrating delay looked to be still playing on their minds as they trailed 24-0 in the first half-hour before James Barnes and Neil Ledsham crossed twice in the space of two minutes.

Gosport had much the better of the second half; only to see the Kent men score the only try from a quick tap penalty that broke the Hampshire sides' resistance.

Skipper Simon Burns, who played most of the match with a broken nose sustained in the sixth minute, admitted that had his side not got off to a slow start, they could have gained the result they desperately need.

"We got off slowly but then got our two tries and we were playing really well," he said. "We turned around within two scores and started to play well again but we seemed to lose our way in the second half."

Portsmouth swept Camberley aside to remain firmly on Barnes' tails, beating the doomed Surrey outfit 27-3.

Havant not only secured their place in the National League for next season but they are closing in on fifth place after they comprehensively beat lowly Tabard 48-10 with an eight-try show that could have been many more.

Cam Avery and Anton Petzer claimed a brace apiece as Havant drove away from their visitors in the second half, although they did toss away some good chances to extend their victory margin.