Basingstoke suffered another heavy National League 3 South defeat when going down 34-8 at Clifton, but they can take comfort from a vastly improved display that saw them draw the second-half 5-5.

The damage was done in the first half-hour when Clifton scored five tries by spinning the ball out wide to build a 29-3 lead. Basingstoke then revised their line-up and had much the better of the exchanges late in the game.

Havant kept in touch with the leading pair in London 1 by winning a dour match with Harlow 22-12. Havant's forwards dominated, in the mauls especially, but three penalties made up their 9-5 interval lead. It took a further penalty to level things after Harlow had scored a second try, but Havant finished strongly and eased away with two tries of their own.

Winchester took a weakened side to second-placed Norwich and suffered a 51-10 humbling, although 28 points in the final 12 minutes when Winchester had a player sin-binned gave the scoreline a somewhat false appearance.

Alton slightly eased their position in London 2 South with a 17-5 home victory over Old Mid-Whitgiftians, although Beckenham's win against Gravesend means Alton remain in the bottom three. Always in the lead from the first try, Alton did just sufficient to win a dull, uninteresting game.

The power of the Andover pack enabled them to demolish Warlingham 43-6 in their re-arranged London 3 South West fixture. Spokesman, Andy Waite said: "We murdered them up front and this domination allowed us to score six tries."

The victory cemented Andover's position in fourth place behind Portsmouth, Jersey and Gosport & Fareham.

Tottonians suffered a somewhat surprising 23-15 reverse in their London 4 South West game at Purley John Fisher. A woeful first-half display in the boggy conditions brought about Tottonians' demise, because the hosts already had a 20-3 lead by half-time.

Tottonians recovered well but a win would have flattered them. Their greatest comfort came from the excellent league debut of Lee Brading, who crowned his display with a try following the best move of the whole match.

Fawley lost 56-0 away to the new league leaders Chobham, but secretary Gordon Powell said: "We played with much more spirit and determination. In the end, our lack of fitness told because they scored four tries in the last 20 minutes."

Southampton were extremely unhappy that they got to Barnes before discovering their game was postponed.