Havant and Basingstoke meet next week in the eagerly awaited Hampshire National League local derby, but both will go into the game on the backs of disappointing defeats as the lower reaches of the table beckons for the pair.

Basingstoke's recent good form was halted with some velocity as Tabard, themselves on a run of results, roared to victory at Down Grange by the comfortable margin of 30-7.

Two tries in first-half injury time did the damage for Richard Baker's side after they trailed by just three through Steve Drawbridge's try and a conversion from Ian Calder, but they were always up against it thereafter.

"That is the beauty of sport - it is all about what happens on the day. If we had played Tabard today (Sunday), the result might have been different, but gifting them three tries was very disappointing," felt Calder.

"Tabard were right up for the game and, despite being limited in their options, they did what they did well."

Havant's wretched run of late, not helped by an extensive list of injuries, was extended to six defeats in their last eight games as they once again tossed away a first half lead to be defeated 23-14 at Old Patesians.

In poor conditions both underfoot and up above, Steve Claffey, back from injury struck three penalties before winger Alan Barnes stepped in with a try that gave the visitors a 14-6 lead, but it was the end of their scoring exploits and they could not prevent the Cheltenham-based outfit from maintaining their 100 per cent home record.

In London Division Four South-West, a heavily weakened Trojans were far from intimated by the bulky Purley John Fisher forwards, but could still not overturn them, slipping to a 31-22 defeat that leaves them third from bottom.

Their problems came when two players were sin-binned and it was then PJF pulled away. But tries from Ollie Joisce, Andy Milton and a penalty try kept Trojans in touch throughout.