OVERTON RFC moved seven points clear of fourth placed Fawley with a 32-12 win in south Hampshire as the second placed side kept the pressure on Hampshire Two leaders Alresford.

Overton are two points behind the leaders who still have third and fourth placed Alton and Fawley to play, while Overton have three games remaining all at home to Locksheath, Nomads and Lymington Mariners.

The visitors at Fawley opened the scoring after 10 minutes with Ryan Cornell controlling the ball well at the back of a scrum that was moving forward at a rate of knots to touch down and give Alex Plows a simple conversion.

Overton kept Fawley on the back foot and added a second score from Sam Clarke in the corner.

The referee converted this to a penalty try as Fawley were adjudged to have tackled high in a effort to stop the score. Again, Plows added the extras.

Overton added a penalty shortly after as Fawley argued with the referee, but then the home side went over for a try to make it 17-7 at half-time.

The home side started the second period strongly, but a hat trick from captain Tristian Harper in the space of 15 minutes sealed the game.

One was from a good lineout move, another from a driving maul and the third from a quickly taken penalty allowed the ball to be shipped three players out. Plows was unable to add any of the conversions.

Fawley never gave up and continued to chase the game, scoring at the final whistle.

On Saturday, the villagers face a tough Hampshire Plate semi final as they travel to second placed Hampshire One side Pertersfield.

The seconds face a tough game away against Basingstoke seconds.

They warmed up for this game against Andover thirds in a Solent Merit One clash.

Overton led 15-0 at half-time after with scores from Chase Rattery, Michael Sheppard and Chris Cotterill.

After the break Andover scored, before Overton captain Matt Simms exploited a loose scrum and went over, with the extra points being added by Cotterill.

Chineham RFC went down 36-24 at Romsey and next for them on March 4 is Hampshire One leaders New Milton.

Tadley RFC beat Risborough 45-7 in the Berk Bucks and Oxon Premier and they are next at Crowthorne a week on Saturday.

Aldermaston RFC are in action this weekend with a trip to Berks Bucks Championship second placed side Wheatley.

Last Saturday, Aldermaston were beaten at home 34-3 by Oxford.