Former leaders Fordingbridge lost their third match of the campaign and vital ground on the Snows Group Hampshire 1 front runners at the weekend.

Bridge were beaten 33-27 at Petersfield while leaders US Portsmouth picked up another bonus point win over battling neighbours Fareham Heathens, who earned a losing bonus point for their efforts.

Second-placed Bognor walloped visitors Isle of Wight 67-0 and Millbrook moved up a place to third without running on to the pitch (see separate story on left of page).

Fordingbridge were 14 points behind Petersfield after the first 11 minutes but Mat Norton got his side back into the game with a try and seven points with his boot to trail 21-13 at half-time.

Bridge’s fly half, Steve Brown, struck with a try after the break and Norton’s second got the visitors in front for the first time.

But newly-promoted Petersfield hit back with a converted try to go ahead by a point with 15 minutes remaining and struck again as Bridge piled on the pressure in the final stages.

A Fordingbridge spokesman said: “This was a game we should have won but due to injuries and availability, consistency in selection to field the same side two weeks running is a problem for us at the moment. This takes nothing away from Petersfield who kept us under pressure for the whole match.”