The chance of experiments and the testing out of unfamiliar players was the order of the day as a number of pre-Christmas friendlies saw some interesting results.

A very young Winchester side travelled for their hastily-arranged fixture with Marlow, a side in the same struggling boat asthemselves in the mirror South West division. And, despite a scoreline which registered no points for the visitors, there was plenty of encouragement for the coaching staff.

Teenager James Allen, the son of Hampshire Under-20's manager Peter, made his first XV debut at fly-half while Kirk Hooper, who suffered an horrific traffic accident a year ago, played his first game since recovering from extensive injuries.

Coach Mike Marchant, who played for more than half the game due to a lack of travelling numbers, was pleased with the exercise and felt there was plenty to go on.

"To see lads like James getting a chance is good for the club as we have a very tough New Year and the more players we can get involved is all the better."

A strong Tottonians XV were also quick to fix up another game and played former Hampshire 1 league leaders New Milton & District, pulling through 29-14 with five tries - four of which came through the forwards instead of the elusive backs.

It was a useful run-out for both sides - as it was for Millbrook, who trickled past Tottonians II 12-10.

Petersfield were let down desperately by their scheduled opponents Alton, the latter then arranging to play Portsmouth II at home, winning 36-24.

The East Hampshire side were left fuming without a home game, while a strong second XV, including old boy Anthony Lintern, hammered Havant III 68-0.

Lintern, who is leaving the south coast having secured a job in Bedfordshire, returned to his roots for his final game after playing for Winchester and Portsmouth in the interim.

Fordingbridge's two sides failed to register a point between them in their games with a Salisbury XV and Ellingham & Ringwood mixed outfit, but it was fun all the way at Paxton Pumas, who beat Fareham Heathens' Veterans side 17-5 in a farewell to Jim Dunn.

Dunn, 55, is leaving to return to his Yorkshire coast roots in Scarborough and could have marked his final appearance with a conversion in the defeat, but his kick was way off target to the mirth of all around.

"How rugby should be played," was the comment from both sides.