THERE is a standard question that is asked of Havant coach Dave Cook after their most recent league games. It is simple and to the point - "just why are your side second from bottom of the table?"

Havant supporters must have been scratching their heads in disbelief as their side humiliated, crushed and annihilated sixth-placed Weston-super-Mare 67-7 with a super show of running rugby on a firm ground with the sun shining.

Nine tries, eight of which were converted by the 'Hooks Lane saviour', recent signing from Connaucht and London Irish, fly-half Owen Cobbe, who also added two penalties in a 22-point haul, was more the representative of the home sides total dominance.

It was not complacency on the West Countrymen's side or a lack of desire - their after-match rollicking from the coach in the dressing room settled that issue.

Anton Petzer's tenth minute try was the filling in the Cobbe penalty sandwich as Havant opened a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, but it was the final ten of the half where the hosts ran riot with four tries.

A superb chip and chase by winger Neil McGovern started the stream before Steve Stapleton waded in with a brace; the second after Petzer had sliced open the Weston line, only to be hauled down short of the line. Stapleton was on hand to complete the try.

Prop Steve Jack, in his final home match with the club before returning to his native New Zealand in the summer, was at the bottom of a driven pile of bodies to claim the touchdown, which gave Havant an incredible 39-0 interval advantage.

Centre Owen Jones furthered the tally just after the turnaround, while the impressive South African Petzer, whose quick thinking from a penalty resulted in their seventh, brought up the half-century.

The pick of the tries, and evidence if ever needed that Havant's confidence was sky high, came midway through the half. Defending their line, the ball came lose and McGovern ran the ball out of his in-goal area.

With silky handling from one end of the field to the other and Weston not sure where to look or which way to go, hooker Andy Tart lurched over.

Veteran lock Will Knight, on to rapturous cheers from the Hooks faithful, made them roar even louder when he weaved over after cleaning up a poor pass from Petzer close to the line.

Paul Shepherd hauled in a consolation for the visitors, but the damage was well and truly done by then and Havant go into next week's match at Basingstoke brimful of confidence, having totalled 109 points in their last 160 minutes of rugby.

"I told my players to go out there and express themselves," said coach Cook. "And they did exactly that. But let's not forget, Weston are sixth in the table and have done well. They are shell-shocked by our performance.

"We did play well, but that is how we have played for much of the season without scoring the points and to see us with a points difference of plus 69, but still second-bottom of the table, well, I cannot see another side in the league with a record like that."

And now for Basingstoke - a killer local derby if there ever was one. "They will be looking to shut us out, that's for sure. There will be no favours for us, but if we play like this, then we won't need them."