THE differences between Havant's defeat and Basingstoke's victory could not be more diverse, but the gap separating the pair is now just two points and they meet in just a fortnight's time.

Havant's injury-ravaged squad seemed to forget that matches lasted for 80 minutes as they failed to show for the second half, being sliced open for 18 unanswered points and never looked like answering at all to any of them against Westcombe Park.

Leading 16-5 just before the interval, thanks to hooker Steve Cruddas' try and three penalties from stand-in kicker Liam Davenport, Westcombe struck a crucial reply when Joe Bentley's break set up Ian Lewis for a try to cut the deficit.

From there on, it was all the Kent side as Havant had nothing else to give.

They slide to seventh in the table but just two points separate five sides in mid-table, with Basingstoke two places behind after an incredible 49-8 win over second-placed Old Patesians, a massive turn around from their league position.

Whereas Havant played dead in the second half, Basingstoke were very much alive and scored five tries after the break, with scrum-half Tom Dean helping himself to a hat-trick.

At last, Director of Rugby Ian Calder's side have turned the corner, with their unfortunate defeat to Old Colfeians being the turning point. "We are playing some really good rugby at the moment and the boys have a bit of belief in themselves," he said.

They obviously do not like visiting Hampshire, as they were caught cold in the first week of the season at Hooks Lane as well, but not by this measure. "Last year we were really reliant on players like Chris Norton and Jason Rees to score us long range tries.

"But our set plays this season are going well and we have more ball to play with, from which we get into the 22 and develop things from there. At least this result will keep the boys smiling at training this week."