It was a case of mixed emotions for Fawley as they shocked league leaders Guernsey but are still searching for their first victory of the season, despite playing their part in a 78-point cracker at Holbury.

Captain Ian Cromar urged his winless side to stand up and be counted against the unbeaten Channel Islanders and they did not disappoint, running the visitors ragged and pushing them to the limit before going down 48-30.

However, it proved to not be quite enough and Guernsey pulled away late in the game but Cromar, one of the try scorers along veteran Mike MacDonald and winger Steve Eaton, was very pleased with his team's efforts.

"We were phenomenal but disappointed not to have won as we ran them hard, won a lot of ball in the rucks and mauls and pressured them," he said. "I think, though, that it woke them up as they thought it would be easy."

He had a word for the referee, who he ranked as "superb and allowed the game to flow."

Trojans, on the receiving end over the Channel last week, crashed again against a resilient New Milton & District side 15-13, a result that takes the Foresters to fourth and sinks the hosts to seventh.

But had a long-range Trojans penalty hit its target in the last minute, the result could have gone the other way but Milton emerged victorious despite the home sides' plan of regular attacking which saw them run most of the ball they had.

New Milton's defence held firm, however, and when Bryn Darbyshire cut his way up the middle of the field to score under the posts from the restart following Owen Thomas' penalty, Trojans were behind for the first time and, despite their efforts, could not peg it back.

"For sheer determination, doggedness and sticking at it, the team deserve all the praise that comes their way," said New Milton coach Norman Cracknell.

Tottonians went down to their third defeat and slipped to second bottom as unbeaten Guildford recorded a 55-20 win over Miles Northover's outfit, but once again, they were far from disappointed.

Guildford are one of the favourites for promotion, alongside Old Wimbledonians, but, save the first fifteen minutes where they conceded 24 points, Totts gave as good as they got and took the game to the Surrey side.

Had it not been for that opening, Totts could have caused an upset as they had the better in the forward exchanges and scored three well-worked tries through some intermittent defending. "We will take a lot from this game," said Northover.

"It was really encouraging as far as we are concerned and kept them to just 17-15 in the second half, which speaks volumes for us. If we can get over this slow start, then we will compete."