Fordingbridge lost their leading place in Snows Group Hampshire 1 when they were beaten at home for the first time since December 2011.

Bognor have taken over at the top but Bridge’s victors, US Portsmouth, are the side making an early mark on the league.

They won the game 40-20 and are now in second place with a match in hand, having put 170 points on the scoreboard in three outings.

US Portsmouth raced to a 19-0 lead after 25 minutes but Bridge did battle back with a penalty try and Mark Hammond conversion.

The home side’s cause was not helped by the loss of prop Bobby Brown and winger Mike Grimes who suffered a serious arm injury.

US Portsmouth struck with three deserved tries in the second half with Bridge responding with a Steve Brown try and Hammond conversion and penalty.

US Portsmouth have played a game less than new leaders Bognor – as have Millbrook who chalked up their third bonus point win on the bounce (34-7) at neighbours Romsey.

Millbrook looked in charge for the majority of the clash but their tight defence, which has conceded just 17 points in three outings, buckled at the end to give battling Romsey a deserved converted try.

Brook captain Mike Randell crossed in the corner after six minutes after being fed by Luke Wilson and Rich Colmer’s difficult conversion ricocheted kindly off the post for a 7-0 lead.

Colmer followed that up with a penalty before the home side threatened the Brook line. They were within inches of getting on the scoreboard several times but were then made to pay for not finishing off.

Millbrook centre Michael Thomas cut a line through the home defence and the ball was recycled as he was tackled, ending up in the hands of fullback Rhys Fehners to place down in the corner.

Winger Dan Burlone put the gloss on another Brook attack just after the break and the bonus point score came when scrum half Tom Colling broke free and touched down under the posts.

Brook’s final try came off the back of a scrum when Number 8 Michael Trench got the important touchdown.

Romsey battled on and got seven points when centre Alex Lee crossed the line and Rob Heighway converted.

Brook’s Rich Colmer kicked nine points during the afternoon.

Millbrook captain Mike Randell said: “We were pleased to get the result we wanted and a bonus point win away from home is always good.

“There are parts to work on, namely our execution, but it was another positive game and step forward to this season’s ambitions.”

Team Solent have still got to get off the mark. They lost out 32-30 at home to Farnborough and sit third-from-bottom above Isle of Wight and Romsey.