There was none of the normal high jinx or acrimony that is normally associated with fixtures involving local rivals Gosport & Fareham and Portsmouth - but given that neither side were particularly concerned on the result, that was no surprise.

The two sides meet again in a fortnight's time in the league where all the normal gusto will return. This fixture was an opportunity to see a number of players on the fringes of the first XV and a variety of up-and-coming colts and it was the juniors of Portsmouth that ensured the upper hand in winning 36-14.

Gosport coach Simon Burns felt his side did not do themselves justice and was disappointed with the result, but must have been encouraged by 17-year-old colt winger Mark Nixon scoring his first try for the club.

However, two tries from veteran scrum-half Mike Caspall ensured Ian Chandler's side progressed to the next round. "It was disappointing," continued Burns, "but some of these young lads have impressed and are pushing for a first team place next week and this is good news."

Havant's 50-10 win over Bognor, a side they have three leagues seniority over, looked comfortable enough. But coach Owen Cobbe conceded that it was rather unconvincing.

A host of injuries cost them a number of players before the game had kicked-off and an early try should have settled the visitors but whether they took this game too lightly was a matter of some conjecture as handling errors and lack of control crept in.

It was only when a moment of quick thinking from Cobbe reasserted Havant's authority and three tries in ten minutes led his side into a 24-3 half-time lead.

Another barrage of points - three tries in the opening quarter of the second half - could have opened the floodgates but Havant settled for 50 in the end and Director of Rugby Adam King said: "A win is a win and it would be churlish to be negative over a 50-point haul but in reality it should have been 80."

The mystery bug and the injury list that threatened to cost Tottonians the trip to Worthing in midweek eventually did as they decided to scratch the fixture, while Winchester had already been awarded a bye from Chobham.

Andover ensured their league status held firm by beating fellow North Hampshire side Alton 24-10.