Eastleigh kept their 100 per cent London 3 South-West League record going – but were given a stern test by a well-organised London Exiles side.

The visitors left with a deserved bonus point after losing the nailbiting clash 16-15.

The Exiles had the better of the early exchanges and showed what their back line was capable of when their centre broke through on three minutes.

Only an excellent tap tackle by winger Jack Curtis stopped him from running a try in from the halfway line.

The tackle seemed to galvanise Eastleigh who went on the attack.

After continued pressure from the home side, the Exiles eventually ran out of defenders and left the blind side undefended for second row John Williams to score.

The Exiles backs then got into their stride and, following a successful penalty, crossed the line and converted for a 10-7 lead.

They increased their advantage on 30 minutes with an unconverted try before Eastleigh’s Chris Cove and an opponent were both sidelined for ten minutes with yellow cards.

The home side started brightly after the break and got to within a couple of points of the Exiles after two Phil Baldwin penalties.

Baldwin followed that up with a drop goal attempt which would have given his side the lead, but it drifted wide.

Eastleigh’s patience was finally rewarded when another Baldwin penalty sailed between the sticks to give his side a 16-15 victory.