Fawley have halted their recent slide by jumping into second place in Hampshire Division Two with an impressive 15-10 win over Fordingbridge, but they still trail the unbeaten leaders Isle of Wight by two points.

The Watersiders' skipper, Andy Headley, was pleased with the result, but still sees plenty of room for improvement again, despite outscoring their visitors three tries to two on a waterlogged pitch, conceding his side made harder work of it than it should have been.

'Bridge took the lead and that is the way it stayed until Steve Eaton levelled in the first half, before Fijian full-back Suka gave the hosts the advantage after the break. But Fawley sat back and the Foresters struck hard but to no avail.

In fact, it was only when Lee Haisman intercepted a pass and ran the 80 yards to the line that Fawley finally took control, although 'Bridge did cut the deficit with a try.

"We sat back too much, like we tend to do," said Headley. "We have to get out of that habit and play the full game instead of just parts."

The Isle of Wight had no such problems and surprised even themselves at the ease in which they thumped Ellingham & Ringwood 37-0. They posted five tries without reply, although it was obvious the visitors were weakened by unavailability and injury.

Coach Richard Beardsall got the forecast exactly right. "I said to the lads that the weather would get worse in the second half and it did to our advantage as the wind and rain blew harder in E&R's faces.

"It was in the phase play that we outmanoeuvred them, allowing Alex Augustus, our scrum-half, the platform from which to operate. It is good to be stretching away at the top of the table, but it is still early days for us."

Ventnor lost their chance to put pressure on the leaders when they unexpectedly lost at previously winless Fleet 28-19, while Alresford went down to Lytchett Minster 7-3.

Hampshire Three has opened up following leaders Kingsclere's defeat to Overton 12-11, while Paxton Pumas' win against previously unbeaten Chineham 16-12 moves them back into contention.