Petersfield RFC took advantage of New Milton’s turn to sit out a Snows Group Hampshire 1 fixture and duly replaced them at the top of the table.

The new leaders’ 63-0 victory over lowly Chineham gives them a point advantage but Milton have a game in hand, writes CLIVE DOWNTON.

Ellingham & Ringwood started the day one slot above fifth-placed visitors Sandown & Shanklin and put some daylight between the clubs with an impressive 41-12 home victory.

Es’ wing Josh Butcher kicked five points and scored a first half try with two more coming from number 8 Stuart Pearce and lock forward Tim Linford. Centre Callum Butler and fullback Dominic Pitt both touched down after the interval and wing Chris Frost went over in the final moments of the game.

Fordingbridge also clocked up 41 points as they beat hosts Fareham Heathens 41-5.

Romsey are finding the going tough in Hampshire 1 after going unbeaten one tier down last season.

They had picked up just a couple of wins since the start of the season but ground out another over Farnborough.

Hooker James Griffin got on the scoresheet in his last game for the club, as he is off travelling for a year.

Number 8 Jack Groves produced another two tries and more followed from winger PJ Bowden, second row Jack Finch and fullback Dan Penn-Newman as Romsey went on to win 34-21. Fly half Toby Bull kicked a couple of conversions.

Captain Penn-Newman said: “We have been struggling with consistency so had to grind out this result. We dominated the league last year, which is very different to Hampshire 1, but we are looking to stabilise and we’re glad to get this result.”