EASTLEIGH weren't helped by the decision to condemn the Bishopstoke pitches as unsafe.

The judgement by pitch consultants employed by Eastleigh BC meant Eastleigh having to lose home advantage in a crucial Hampshire 1 league match against a tenacious New Milton.

The team failed to cope with the change of venue and played their worst game of the season.

An early break from the Foresters led to Chris Croucher scoring a try converted by Bryn Darbyshire.

Then Croucher snapped up his second after some poor defending to allow New Milton to build up good momentum.

Eastleigh's usual strong lineout was not functioning and in truth their minds seemed to be elsewhere.

Dave Craddock, leading by example, tried to muster his men and made some incisive runs but Milton's defence held on.

Late in the game the ball was kicked long from Milton's 22 for more poor defensive work from Eastleigh to let them sneak another in the corner.

A Russell Smith penalty was all that Eastleigh managed in a disappointing performance which makes their chances of avoiding relegation slim.

Trojans powered past Millbrook 31-0 in a fairly one-sided game. The home team were too strong in all departments for the visitors and Clark (2), Boyd and Strange scored the tries.

Ellingham & Ringwood came away with victory in a double header against US Portsmouth at Pickett's Post.

The win meant they stay top of the league and go into the semi-final of the bowl - against Trojans at Stoneham Lane on February 11.

Both teams started at a thunderous pace and, but for great cover tackling, either could have led.

But the first score did not come for 15 minutes, when, from a catch and drive from a lineout, the ball was fed through fast hands to Adam Fityan to touch down after a mazy run.

On the 30-minute mark, US were back level after some great interplay by the back line.

Both teams had chances with penalties prior to half-time but at the interval it was all square.

Early in the second half some ill discipline by US led to Ellingham having two more shots at goal both going wide.

Weekes, however, did not miss with his next attempt from 40 metres out wide left.

Another Weekes penalty with 15 minutes left - for coming in at the side - gave Ellingham a six-point margin.

In the last few minutes, US kept up constant pressure but the home side held on.

Alton, recapturing their super September form, demolished Fareham Heathens eight tries to one.

Jason Rees was man of the match with a hat-trick and the home team's other scorers were Ed Clark, Silas Jones, Steven Johns, Andrew Davies and Luke Parratt, Bruce Oliphant converting four.

Southampton went down to Farnborough 24-15.

Fawley lost 23-43 to IOW while Fordingbridge crept to within one point of the promotion places with a convincing win over Alresford.

Fordingbridge ran in tries at will with Dan Stone notching a hat-trick.