London Leagues
Eastleigh RFC matched a club milestone at the weekend as they fielded four senior sides on the same day for the first time in 40 years.
And each and every one of them returned to the clubhouse with a win under their belts.
The promotion-hunting first XV walloped Twickenham 64-5 at home in London 2 South-West, the seconds beat Fareham 7-5 away in Hampshire Premier, the thirds clocked up a massive 83-3- success over Ventnor and the fourth team beat Fordingbridge seconds 44-14, also at home.
Eastleigh firsts were 28-0 up against Twickenham at the break – tries from Will Rigglesford, Connor Frain and two from Vincent Morse were all converted by Matt Lovell.
Twickenham, who had a player red carded, did get over the line in the second half but once again it was one way traffic in Eastleigh’s favour. Rigglesford got his second, Panos Logothetis touched down, as did Paul Fudio and captain Terry Papworth, and Jack Berry helped himself to a couple.
Winchester defended their lead at the top of London 3 South-West with a 26-14 victory at Old Tiffinians. Winch were trailing 14-10 at half time – Alex Lee getting the final touch to some intense pressure from the forwards and Josh Tolan kicking five points for the visitors. Hooker Chris Searle but Winchester back in front and followed that try up with another after Jesse Ribeiro had kicked a penalty.
Trojans got no reward for playing their part on a tight game at Old Georgians in London 3 South-West – suffering several front row injuries in the process.
The Stoneham Lane side had much of the play in the first half but had what looked like a decent try disallowed for a double movement. The home side were 3-0 up at the turn around and went further ahead with a break in the second period with a converted try.
Georgians put another seven points on the scoreboard before Trojans’ George Goff raced over the line and winger Ben Rose converted.
Tottonians added to lowly Hove’s woes as they defeated the London 1 South bottom side.
Hove got on the scoreboard first but Totts gradually took control of the match for a 28-5 victory.
Centre Mike Searle scored a try as the teams turned around at 5-5 and the reliable boot of Tottonians’ newcomer Rich Colmer gave his team nine points with three perfect penalties after the break.
Searle touched down once more and Colmer converted as Totts marched ahead and he put the finishing touch to another Totts’ try, this time from Eoin Baxter.
Havant made it six London 1 defeats on the bounce as they were beaten by Thurrock.
Hampshire Leagues round-up
Fordingbridge lost ground on the Hampshire Premier leaders as they were beaten by a well-drilled Bognor side.
Stout defending featured from both teams but it was the Wessex Sussex visitors who won the day 17-13, leaving Bridge with a losing bonus point.
Bridge’s points came from a Mat Norton penalty and late tries from Josh Merry and Peter Scott.
A late Dempsey Bedwell penalty earned Millbrook a well-deserved point at Premier leaders Sandown.
The match, played in wet conditions, was tight throughout with an improved second half performance keeping the visitors in the game.
Brook’s points came via a Chad Marshall try and 11 points from Bedwell’s boot.
A late breakaway try from New Milton’s Rhys Frampton earned his side an 18-10 home win over Alresford.
Speedy backs put the visitors 10-5 up at half time but Milton kept themselves in the game with a try from Ed Hynd. Adam Lavis got Milton ahead with a couple of penalties and Frampton stole the ball in the closing stages to touch down under the posts.
Romsey walloped rivals Southampton 50-29 in Hampshire 1 at Test Park.
The visitors crossed the line eight times through captain Dan Penn-Newman (2), Rob Heighway, Sam Sleap, Matt Porter (scoring on his debut), Phil Hellmuth, Rob Hart and Josh Davies. Jim Windibank kicked five conversions.
Ellingham & Ringwood are in third spot, thanks to a 29-18 win at Isle of Wight.
Scrum half Henry Benson led the way with a couple of tries which were added to by centres Josh Butcher and Matt Karelus.
RESULTS
London 1 South: Hove 5 Tottonians 28, Cobham 10 Westcombe Park 24, Chichester 11 Dartfordians 17, Chobham 12 Medway 23, Sevenoaks 16 Brighton 12, Thurrock 22 Havant 16, London Cornish 9 Camberley 12.
London 2 South-West: Gosport & Fareham 0 KCS Old Boys 25, London Exiles 10 Old Alleynians 36, Old Emanuel 24 Farnham 27, Effingham & Leatherhead 3 Old Reigatian 25, Old Tonbridgians 63 Old Cranleighans 0, Eastleigh 64 Twickenham 5.
London 3 South-West: US Portsmouth 31 Teddington 6, Andover 18 Old Whitgiftian 15, Battersea Ironsides 29 Petersfield 7, Old Georgians 17 Trojans 7, Portsmouth 22 Warlingham 31, Old Tiffinians 14 Winchester 26.
Hampshire Premier: Fareham Heathens 5 Eastleigh II 7, Fordingbridge 13 Bognor 17, Gosport II 7 Basingstoke 17, New Milton 18 Alresford 10, Sandown 22 Millbrook 16, Tottonians II 24 Portsmouth 36.
Hampshire 1: Farnborough 43 Alton 24, Locks Heath v Winchester II (HWO) , Andover II 12 Overton 17, Isle of Wight 18 Ellingham & Ringwood 29, Trojans II 5 Ventnor 29, Southampton 29 Romsey 50.
Hampshire 2: Winchester Knights 27 Overton II 22, Havant III 15 Tottonians Vets 13, Fawley 51 Petersfield II 5, Stoneham Aldershot & Fleet , Basingstoke II 5 Nomads 48, Chineham 39 Fareham Heathens II 5.
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