OVERTON RFC reduced the gap between themselves and Hampshire Two leaders Solent University to four points with an impressive 27-3 victory over third-placed Ventnor last weekend.

Flanker Tristan Harper was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while Alex Plows and Tom Barrington also got their names on the scoresheet, with Plows converting his own try.

Chineham also claimed a win, edging out bottom club Stoneham 8-5 to move up to eighth in the table. They face ninth-placed Fareham Heathens this week, while Overton travel to Locksheath Pumas.

It was not such good news for Tadley, who lost their Southern Counties North fixture at home to high-flying Reading Abbey 36-18.

Tadley led 6-0 after 20 minutes thanks to two kicks from Brad Ineson, but they trailed 10-6 by half-time and three converted tries in the opening 12 minutes of the second period put visiting Reading well ahead.

Fly-half Paul Denning pulled a try back, with Ineson adding the extras, and while another try from the visitors six minutes from time put the result beyond doubt, Tadley had the final word, Seth Roose powering over from close range.

Tadley will be looking to bounce back on Saturday, when they travel to Slough, the only side below them in the table.

It was also a bad day for Aldermaston, who lost 49-0 at home to Berks, Bucks and Oxon high-flyers Chesham. They travel to Didcot this weekend, while Kingsclere, who have not played for several weeks, host third-placed Wheatley.