WITH all the results going in their favour, Tottonians' mud-ridden 18-0 victory over Weybridge Vandals allowed them to leap into second place in London Division Three South-West - their highest ever league position.

Winchester's shock 11-10 reverse to mid-table Chobham and Farnham's 24-10 defeat at London Irish Amateur saw Paul Goodall's men take over runners-up spot behind unbeaten Jersey, who they visit in three weeks.

In a game dominated by the strong winds and driving rain, Tottonians used the conditions better and were 6-0 up within 10 minutes through two Goodall penalties - one from near half-way.

Vandals, who defended stoutly, kept Totts at bay for long spells but Paul Brading eventually found his way through after having his first effort disallowed, the resulting scrum allowing him the second opportunity.

The visitors came hard but good defence, especially from Mike Dibden and the increasingly impressive James Angove, kept them out and the match was sealed when former captain Miles Northover claimed a rare score from close range, sliding in from five metres.

"It was a difficult game in the conditions," admitted Goodall, "but we played them well and to be second in the league is fantastic.

"There were some good performances throughout the side and Ange Miriani was excellent on his debut."

Totts' fortune was Winchester's misfortune as they turned in a woeful showing in losing 11-10 to Chobham to slip to third and will need to show a vast improvement at Jersey next week.

Despite improving in the second half after trailing 11-3 at the break, and cutting the arrears to the eventual one-point losing margin courtesy of Paul Todd's fine grubber kick and chase, their lack of control in the line-out and fumbling passes in the wet proved costly.

The first half was dreadful as Winchester allowed Chobham to dominate.

A try and two penalties were only countered by a Dan Kinsey penalty just before half-time but Todd's score second half score gave them some hope.

It was not to be, however, and coach Barry Bridgman said: "We have to play with the tools we have and we struggled in the lineout and were bullied off the ball at times."