Eastleigh held on to top spot in London 3 South-West with a bonus point victory but were made to earn it at Hampshire rivals Ellingham & Ringwood.

The home side struck first through flanker Ryan Sellwood but Eastleigh hit back with tries from fullback Jack Curtis and wing Will Todd to go into the break 14-10 up.

Curtis got his second for Eastleigh shortly after the break after Pete Noonan intercepted and sprinted three-quarters the length of the pitch and teammate and fly half Phil Baldwin also touched down under the posts.

But back came the home side tries for Ali Bennett and Callum Butler in the nailbiting end-to-end battle.

Eastleigh’s Russell Smith crossed in the corner as the pattern of the match continued and the Es soon claimed another, Charlie Cockram getting the ball to ground.

Ellingham were just two points in arrears and pressed for a winning try but it was Eastleigh who put the game to bed, Steve Jerram going over in the corner.

Bennett kicked two conversions and a penalty for the Es during the afternoon and Baldwin struck with four conversions for his side.

Eastleigh captain Paul Fudio said: “Ellingham and Ringwood provided us with our first real test of the season.

“Although we were a long way from our full potential, I’m thoroughly impressed by the character the lads showed out there today.”